![coding](https://ubcomputerlab.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/coding.jpg?w=300&h=196)
As the new year begins, and the second marking period comes to a close, computer class is wrapping up the typing unit. I am very pleased to see how much the students have progressed with their touch typing skills, and how seriously they have taken it. We have spent a lot of time discussing how important typing is, and how crucial it will be as they transition into high school college, and the real world. Memorial School students are getting a tiny dose of how important typing skills are as we have now “Gone Google” here in school. Instead of hand it in, teachers are now requesting work to be sent in which students are forced to type.
Enough said about typing as the 3rd marking period begins, we will re-direct our focus towards coding. Coding is a skill in which students will be creating algorithms (a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations). Some to the tools we will be using are code.org, lightbot, which can be found on abcya.com , scratch.mit.edu and for the eighth graders code combat. Students will be using these interactive experiences to develop, create and simulate new or existing games. Please keep in mind that coding is for all ages, and all levels of technology users. All resources mentioned above are all online, and are all free. They can be a great family bonding experience.