Why Coding?
With coding and algorithms, children are able to acquire 21st-century skills: the ability to approach problems from different perspectives and produce solutions, to think analytically, to think systematically and creatively, and the ability to come up with the shortest solutions. When students grasp the logic of algorithms, they realize that everything occurs in a certain order and without that specific order, things that need to be done cannot be accomplished. Coding is not only limited to computer sciences, but it is also very important in terms of interdisciplinary interactions.
Many developed countries, realizing the importance of the skills of our era such as algorithmic thinking, analytical thinking, critical thinking, problem-solving and design-oriented thinking, have made fundamental changes in their education systems. Countries such as the USA, England, France, Finland, Germany, South Korea and Israel have added coding courses to their curriculum from primary school onwards in order to equip the new generation with these 21st century skills starting at an early age.
The graph below "The European Computer Education Report” illustrates the difference between the UK and Turkey. As can be seen in the report, Coding education is compulsory from 1st grade onwards in the United Kingdom.
Our Method
In our game-based learning platform, our students are given tasks to collect food items in the different scenes. They try to complete these tasks with the help of our cute characters. In some scenes, the supporting characters help them out, while in some, the obstructing characters give them a hard time. The solutions to all tasks are automatically checked and scored according to the “Three Star” scoring system. If the students are able to complete each task correctly and by writing the shortest code, they are rewarded three stars.
In Kodris Africa, when solving the given tasks, there are two modes to choose from: Block Mode and Code Mode. These two modes work synchronously and can be used interchangeably. In Code Mode, students write real codes to solve the tasks. While writing real codes, the system automatically generates the block sequence with the corresponding algorithm under the Block Mode tab, therefore if students get stuck or have difficulty writing the real code, they can switch to the Block Mode for help. On the other hand, in Block Mode, while students create algorithms using block sequences, the system automatically generates the equivalent, text-based code under the Code Mode tab; therefore, students can see the real code corresponding to the block sequence when they switch over to Code Mode. Thanks to this feature, our students are able to easily learn the fundamentals of Python programming language such as loops, variables, functions and conditionals, as well as many other topics.
Why Python?
Python is one of the most suitable and preferred programming languages for beginners in coding.
With Python, our students will be able to develop any kind of platform-independent software. With its easy-to-write and easy-to-understand syntax, Python is one of the most popular programming languages making learning how to code actually enjoyable for students.
According to research conducted by IEEE.ORG, Python was chosen the best programming language of 2019.
• Algorithmic Thinking
- An Algorithm is a method used to solve a problem that consists of exact defined instructions. Algorithmic thinking is a term that is used very often as one of the most important competences that can be achieved by education in Informatics. Algorithmic thinking is somehow a pool of abilities that are connected to constructing and understanding algorithms: With Kodris Africa the learner will acquire the below abilities;
- • The ability to analyze given problems
- • The ability to specify a problem precisely
- • The ability to find the basic actions that are adequate to the given problem
- • The ability to construct a correct algorithm to a given problem using the basic actions
- • The ability to think about all possible special and normal cases of a problem
- • The ability to improve the efficiency of an algorithm
- • Algorithmic thinking has a strong creative aspect
Algorithmic thinking is a derivative of computer science and coding. This approach automates the problem-solving process by creating a series of systematic logical steps that process a defined set of inputs and produce a defined set of outputs based on these.
Algorithmic thinking is not solving for a specific answer; instead, it solves how to build a replicable process – an algorithm, which is a formula for calculating answers, processing data, or automating tasks.
• Productivity
Productivity is the state of being able to create, particularly at a high quality and quick
speed:
Productivity skills allow us to become less stressed, more effective and thus, a more
successful individual. A productive individual is good at,
Prioritizing:
Managing Distractions:
Taking Breaks:
Discovering their Strengths
Observing what makes them Happy:
Notice what they Do Differently:
Choosing their favorite Qualities:
• Analytical Thinking
Coding is a great option for building analytical thinking skills. Analytical thinking involves approaching a problem or situation analytically and breaking it into separate components for more efficient problem-solving. Analytical thinking also involves being able to adequately express yourself and being mentally flexible. Computer programming does an excellent job encouraging kids to think of creative solutions which naturally stretches the mind’s flexibility. In coding, every situation is unique, which is what makes it helpful for challenging the mind as well as our approach to problems and solutions. Analytical thinking is the ability to tackle complicated issues by evaluating information you’ve gathered and organized. Analytical thinkers can detect patterns between datasets that often lead to creative solutions. They’re able to turn noisy data and information into action. As critical thinkers, they help teams make informed decisions based on collected data and identified goals. Analytical thinkers also help their team embrace new ideas and develop a growth mindset.
• Problem solving
Problem-solving skills helps one determine the source of a problem and find an effective
solution
Learning programming with Kodris Africa will help learners benefit with.
Understanding a problem
Devising the plan
Implementing the solution
Verifying the results
Researching for an existing solution
Adapting it to a specific case
Problem-solving skills help you determine the source of a problem and find an effective
solution. Although problem solving is often identified as its own separate skill, there are
other related skills that contribute to this ability.
Some key problem-solving skills include:
Active listening
Analysis
Research
Creativity
Communication
Dependability
Decision making
Team-building
• Design Thinking
Design thinking is a powerful process of problem solving that begins with understanding unmet customer needs. From that insight emerges a process for innovation that encompasses concept development, applied creativity, prototyping, and experimentation. When design-thinking approaches are applied to business, the success rate for innovation improves substantially. Design thinking is a user-centered approach to problem solving. Applying this technique enables us to take on vague and open-ended problems that don’t have a defined output. Design thinking starts with asking: ‘why is this a problem?’ The process ends with a deliverable of sorts, whether technological or constructed with tape and paper. Rather than being a replicable approach like computational thinking or algorithmic thinking, design thinking is conceptual, and its outputs are unique.
• Algorithmic Thinking
- An Algorithm is a method used to solve a problem that consists of exact defined instructions. Algorithmic thinking is a term that is used very often as one of the most important competences that can be achieved by education in Informatics. Algorithmic thinking is somehow a pool of abilities that are connected to constructing and understanding algorithms: With Kodris Africa the learner will acquire the below abilities;
- • The ability to analyze given problems
- • The ability to specify a problem precisely
- • The ability to find the basic actions that are adequate to the given problem
- • The ability to construct a correct algorithm to a given problem using the basic actions
- • The ability to think about all possible special and normal cases of a problem
- • The ability to improve the efficiency of an algorithm
- • Algorithmic thinking has a strong creative aspect
Algorithmic thinking is a derivative of computer science and coding. This approach automates the problem-solving process by creating a series of systematic logical steps that process a defined set of inputs and produce a defined set of outputs based on these.
Algorithmic thinking is not solving for a specific answer; instead, it solves how to build a replicable process – an algorithm, which is a formula for calculating answers, processing data, or automating tasks.
• Productivity
Productivity is the state of being able to create, particularly at a high quality and quick
speed:
Productivity skills allow us to become less stressed, more effective and thus, a more
successful individual. A productive individual is good at,
Prioritizing:
Managing Distractions:
Taking Breaks:
Discovering their Strengths
Observing what makes them Happy:
Notice what they Do Differently:
Choosing their favorite Qualities:
• Analytical Thinking
Coding is a great option for building analytical thinking skills. Analytical thinking involves approaching a problem or situation analytically and breaking it into separate components for more efficient problem-solving. Analytical thinking also involves being able to adequately express yourself and being mentally flexible. Computer programming does an excellent job encouraging kids to think of creative solutions which naturally stretches the mind’s flexibility. In coding, every situation is unique, which is what makes it helpful for challenging the mind as well as our approach to problems and solutions. Analytical thinking is the ability to tackle complicated issues by evaluating information you’ve gathered and organized. Analytical thinkers can detect patterns between datasets that often lead to creative solutions. They’re able to turn noisy data and information into action. As critical thinkers, they help teams make informed decisions based on collected data and identified goals. Analytical thinkers also help their team embrace new ideas and develop a growth mindset.
• Problem solving
Problem-solving skills helps one determine the source of a problem and find an effective
solution
Learning programming with Kodris Africa will help learners benefit with.
Understanding a problem
Devising the plan
Implementing the solution
Verifying the results
Researching for an existing solution
Adapting it to a specific case
Problem-solving skills help you determine the source of a problem and find an effective
solution. Although problem solving is often identified as its own separate skill, there are
other related skills that contribute to this ability.
Some key problem-solving skills include:
Active listening
Analysis
Research
Creativity
Communication
Dependability
Decision making
Team-building
• Design Thinking
Design thinking is a powerful process of problem solving that begins with understanding unmet customer needs. From that insight emerges a process for innovation that encompasses concept development, applied creativity, prototyping, and experimentation. When design-thinking approaches are applied to business, the success rate for innovation improves substantially. Design thinking is a user-centered approach to problem solving. Applying this technique enables us to take on vague and open-ended problems that don’t have a defined output. Design thinking starts with asking: ‘why is this a problem?’ The process ends with a deliverable of sorts, whether technological or constructed with tape and paper. Rather than being a replicable approach like computational thinking or algorithmic thinking, design thinking is conceptual, and its outputs are unique.
