Andrew Blackwell
Newcastle Grammar School New South Wales, Australia
Tell us about yourself
Information Technology Teacher from year 7 to year 12 Higher School Certificate. I have been teaching Computing Technology for 15 years and teach a range of topics including: Databases, Web Design, Networking, Software Engineering, Animation, Digital Media and Artificial Intelligence.
I take teams to First Lego League Tournaments in Sydney and have an interest in developing web sites and creating Android Apps. I spend too much time on Google+ researching successful teaching practices and sharing the experience.
I starting using CodeHS after seeing a post about it on Google+ where Will.I.Am explained we needed more coder’s in the world and CodeHS can help. It is the best “self-paced” learning tutorials I have found on the web. Karel was able to explain to my students the basic concepts of programming relatively easy. My students were able to use this knowledge to be assessed in quizzes and practical demonstrations and develop a love for programming.
“[CodeHS] is the best “self-paced” learning tutorials I have found on the web..”
Tell us about your students
I have 19 students in a Information Software and Technology subject. This semester they are learning about coding and are progressing through the CodeHS modules. Some have branched off and are creating their own apps and programs. These are Year 10 students, the average age is 15 so some of the students logical learning is high order. I have 18 boys and 1 girl. She is from a Chinese Speaking background but still loves coding.
Has CodeHS been an effective teaching tool for you? How so?
CodeHS has allowed me and my students to develop a passion for programming as well as teaching us the fundamentals of coding. So much so that I and the students have discussed the many ways we can use this knowledge in real world opportunities. “Here is something I wrote on my blog: “”Do you know what a prime number is?
Of course you do….
Did you know that if you are the first to find a prime number that hasn’t been discovered before you can make millions of dollars!
The last prime number sold for 34 million dollars was a prime number with 17million digits. If you could create code that could do this then you could be RICH. “”
This is what one of my students said to me a month ago in my year 10 IST class here at Newcastle Grammar whilst learning how to code using the modules in CodeHS. So we sat down and worked out an algorithm that created a list of prime numbers and then proceeded, with our knowledge of coding, to write the program in JavaScript. Then hit run………….
The computer got to a prime number that was 20 digits in length then CRASHED! This all came about because I taught my students where to go to learn how to code and then applied a practical application to what they have learned. “
What do your students enjoy about learning with CodeHS?
They learn in a fun and engaging atmosphere. It is a caring and sharing environment where they feel safe to discuss and assist others.
“CodeHS has allowed me and my students to develop a passion for programming.”
What does a typical day in your classroom look like?
Very loud engagement. A lot of movement. Sharing of ideas and resources and extremely helpful students to each other. They are more than happy to show off their knowledge to me and the rest of the class. I believe that 90% of what you teach you learn. Many students working on various projects and completely immersed in their learning.
What strategies have you utilized to help students overcome challenges while learning to code?
Personally I have worked through the modules as well so I can ensure that if students have a problem with the tasks I can assist as well.
What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened in your class?
The reaction from one of my students when he read what the requirements were to create javascript for Fibonacci!
Originally published at codehs.com.
