What

WhatisisCoding?
Coding?
Info
InfoSheet
Sheet

i WHAT IS CODING?
What a great question! Well, coding is about telling a computer what to do through a set
of specific instructions called a ‘coding’ or ‘programming’ language. But it‘s also about so
much more! Coding is a way of thinking that involves problem solving in creative ways. It
can also be about teamwork and having fun while learning new things! The skills learned
through coding can be applied to many subjects situations outside of coding itself.

THE WHAT IS CODING VIDEO

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is and what it can do. For example:
(0:50) It’s about making our lives better, while we (1:20) It’s about people! Because coding involves
work and we play! Coding is the basis of any video ‘talking’ to machines, we
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aspects of our day to day life possible. For example, Coding is done by people just - likelike
meme
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when we text someone, book travel plans online, or big and the small!
even watch a YouTube video!

(0:53) It’s about breaking things down, then

building them up! As we will learn in later lessons,
solving challenges in coding is often accomplished
by breaking problems into smaller problems, then
solving them one by one as you build
createsomthing
something
new!
new!

TAKE AWAYS:
• It’s not just words on a screen. Coding is a way of thinking!
• Coding is done
donesby
byhumans;
humans;it’s
it’snot
notmagic!
magic!
• Many people have learned how to code AND YOU CAN TOO!

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 What
WhatisisCoding?
Coding?
Info
Activities
Sheet

Minds On: Brainstorm

This activity will have learners reflect on how coding affects their daily lives.

Have learners begin by brainstorming a list of items that they use everyday. These can range
from a computer to their toothbrush! After this initial list has been created, direct learners to
think about which items on the list they think are made possible because of coding.

Learners will then share their best ideas and co-create a final list of items they think use or are
made possible because of coding. Have a discussion about why these items were selected.

Action:
Have learners, individually or in groups, select an item from the co-create list and research if
and how the item uses coding to make it work (or to make it - assembly line, design, etc.)

Remind learners that we often have to break problems down before we can solve them and
that they’ll learn more about this in later lessons. For now, have learners reflect on the steps
needed to build the item they’re researching. Was coding used in the technology that makes
the item? Is coding needed to make the item work?

Consolidation
Now that learners have an understanding that coding is used in many of the items they use on
a day to day basis, it is time to explore who tells these machines what to do!
The list below of famous coders consists of people that all have done exciting things in the
world of coding; learners will choose one (or one they already may know) and find out what
that person created or built with coding. Guide learners toward the idea that anyone can
learn to code!

Famous Coders Discussion Questions

Joan Clark How would you describe coding?
Margaret Hamilton Why do you think coding is important?
Grace Hopper What kinds of things can coders create?
Ada Lovelace How is coding valuable to me?

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 What
WhatisisCoding?
Coding?
Song Lyrics

It’s kind of about telling a computer what to do

With specific instructions made just by you!

But it’s really about so many other things

Please listen up now to the words that I sing...

It’s about solving problems, and finding a way

To To
makemakeourour
liveslives
better
better
while
while
wewework
work
andand
while
wewe
playplay
It’s about breaking things down, then building them up
And working through challenges, and not giving up
It’s about asking questions; not just words on a screen
It’s inventing new things, things the world has never seen!
It’s
It’sabout
aboutimagination,
imagination,and
andcreating
creatingnew
newdreams
things
That can change your life, and help you grow wings!
It’s about... perhaps most of all
It’s about people, like me and you, the big and the small!
Because you see...

The game that you’re playing - someone made that!

The way that you’re paying - someone made that!
Those points you’re scoring - someone made that!
That guy over there snoring - well that’s not really coding, actually,
But anyway, those other things are:
the computer game, and the payment system, and the points and stuff... well...
They didn’t just appear, it’s not magic, but truthfully...

Someone made those! Yes real human beings!

Actually not just one person, it was probably a team!
A team of people just like me and you, and you!
They learned how to code and you can too!

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