With the need for more experienced coders in the future, Code Kit by littleBits will be a useful addition to the K–12 classroom.
LITTLE BITS CODING FOR FREE
Made for educators, by educators, Code Kit has created an abundance of resources, such as customizable lessons, video tutorials, and other tools, all available for free and accessible online. Code Kit comes with an inventors quick-start guide for students, plus a quick-start guide for teachers. There are some great tutorials and four superengaging activities right out of the box.
LITTLE BITS CODING SOFTWARE
The software is available for all major operating systems and installs quickly.
LittleBits Is Equipped with Abundant Resources Upon connecting the modules and completing the coding step, my student tapped the pressure sensor module and, to our delight, the LED matrix displayed the same colorful pattern he had programmed on the computer - almost like magic. LittleBits unique coding software is based on Google’s Blockly, which makes programming more intuitive. Once that step is complete, the student moves to the coding step, which is drag-and-drop. For example, the connectors on input modules, such as buttons and dimmers, are pink the connectors on output modules, such as buzzers and lights, are green.ĭuring testing, I had one of my seventh-grade computer students try the first tutorial: “Your Very First Game Controller.” First, the student is shown a photograph of how each module should be connected. They are so easy to assemble, in fact, that if bits don’t easily snap together, one of them is probably backwards or upside down.Įach module is an electronic circuit or switch, grouped into one of four categories: power, input, output and wire. Each component does something different and can be connected with a magnetic snap. Simply put, littleBits are electronic building blocks. MORE FROM EDTECH: Five steps to creating a successful K–12 STEM program Code Kit Is Easy to Use and Simple to Understand Now, more teachers are finding creative ways to integrate coding into their curriculum, whether it’s in after-school programs, lunchtime clubs or through the Hour of Code, an annual international event.Ĭode Kit by littleBits cleverly combines the popular littleBit modules with an intuitive computer programming interface in a kit that’s easy to teach and engages students through creating and playing games. For years, computer science experts have been pushing K–12 schools to teach coding as early as kindergarten.