Coding has evolved as a leading practice in the education field, where children have been equipping with the latest technologies right from their school days and have successfully emerged victorious in this interesting field. Can this practice be inculcated in schools, apart from setting up separate coaching classes for children? To give a clear picture, Shanthi Arunachalam, Post-Graduate teacher, Head of the department (Humanities & Commerce), Vels Vidyashram Senior Secondary School, Thalambur, Tamil Nadu gives her valuable opinions about “Coding practice among children”.
- How and at what age should coding be introduced in schools?
It’s essential to recognize that not all students will have the same level of interest or aptitude for coding, so flexibility in instruction and assessment is crucial. Additionally, providing professional development opportunities for teachers and ensuring access to appropriate resources and technology can support effective implementation of coding education in schools. Ultimately, the goal should be to empower students with essential computational thinking skills and prepare them for the increasingly digital world they will inhabit.
I would say that children from class 2 must be taught coding by introducing them to various coding concepts through drag-and-drop interfaces, simple coding concepts in games and puzzles.
- Do you think coding can be inculcated in school syllabuses?
Absolutely! I am of the opinion that for the preparation for the future careers of children, it is very important to enhance their deeper knowledge in technology, daily usage of smart phones to software technology. By learning to code, students develop these essential skills, which are valuable not only in Computer Science but also in various other academic disciplines and real-world scenarios.
- Coding uses a variety of calculations and statistics. How to teach the basics of coding to students?
It has to be done by the teacher in the structured and engaged manner, by beginning with the initial concepts, not the level of learning the syntax. Visualizing programming methods would enhance students’ ability and develop interest among children, to learn more concepts in coding right from the beginning.
Teachers can effectively teach the basics of coding to students in a way that is engaging, accessible and meaningful. As students gain confidence and proficiency in coding, they will be better prepared to tackle more advanced concepts and pursue further exploration in Computer Science and Technology.
- According to you, which coding language is the latest one, why?
I have learned many things in Computer Science also with the technological advancements. Coding languages like JAVASCRIPT, PYTHON have helped teach my son, who has recently completed his studies in the Biology stream. It depends upon the industry needs, our usages and several new technological ideas of learning. Learning multiple programming languages can provide valuable insights and skills that transcend any single language.
- How to propagate the language of coding in rural areas?
We can establish various pathways with school communities and libraries. Nowadays everyone, are using mobile phones in rural areas as well. Mobile technology can also be helpful to learn or teach coding to all children. We also can have collaborative learning classes with nearby local schools, where school authorities can integrate coding in curriculum and syllabus.
Separate learning classes also can be included via online sessions, where nowadays we can implement art-integrated Science curriculum through online sessions. By implementing these strategies and initiatives, rural communities can expand access to coding education, empower residents with valuable skills and create pathways to economic opportunity and success in the digital age.
- How to propagate the practice of coding, among students who don’t have mathematical bent of mind?
Teachers and parents can approach students in such a way to inculcate the learning interest. I have seen many students during the pandemic period, where many parents insisted their wards to learn coding – and they did also.
The only thing we need to provide is a supportive and encouraging learning environment so that students will get success in this learning methodology. Educators can cultivate a more inclusive and accessible approach to coding education that engages students with diverse interests and strengths, regardless of their mathematical bent of mind.
For example, I teach Economics in the school, where students who are not good in Mathematics, or don’t like the subject are forcefully solving problems in Statistics. As teachers, we are motivating students to equip themselves with different technological ideas where they would be interested by collecting data and other survey information.
Shanthi Arunachalam is a Post-Graduate teacher, Head of the Department (Social Science department) teaching Humanities at Vels Vidyashram Senior Secondary School, Thalambur, Tamil Nadu.
She started working at a very ripe age of 16, taking care of her own expenses. She did her schooling at V.O.C. Vidiyalayaa Matric Higher Secondary School, Tamil Nadu (VOC MHSS) and then pursued B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce) and M.Com (Master of Commerce) at Madras University (Tamil Nadu) in Commerce. She pursued B. Ed (Bachelor of Education) in English from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and has studied several diploma courses in Computer Science and Hindi as well.
Later she completed her M.Phil (Master of Philosophy) and Master of Arts (M.A.) in Literature from Mahatma Gandhi University, T Nagar, Tamil Nadu. She worked as an –
- Accountant, Secretary in Sudagar Bio Chemicals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Human Resources Department, Secretary at Linkup Network PVT LTD, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Secretary Zonal Accountant at Kurlon LTD, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Computer Science, Business Studies, Hindi teacher at D.A.V Public School, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Vice Principal at St John’s Higher Secondary School, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.
- Headmistress at Zigma Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai, Tamil Nadu (ZIGMA MHSS).
