Modern technology is so advanced that devices people use every day without much fanfare would have blown the minds of people living just a decade ago. It’s difficult to overstate the extent of the advances and how quickly it’s grown.
That’s why it’s hard to get a clear picture of exactly what the future of technology will look like, even though digital technology will undoubtedly play a huge role. Parents everywhere who don’t want their kids to be on the sidelines are enrolling their children in online coding classes today.
Before you pick a coding program for your child, keep the following things in mind.
Lessons Should Be Fun
All students learn best when they’re enjoying the material. The last thing an educator wants to do is make their subject too dry or heavy for kids and turn them off the subject before they have a real chance to absorb the lessons.
The best online evening coding classes revolve around how to build video games, so kids are excited about learning. Children are genuinely enthused about games, especially video games, and learning how to design their own becomes their own type of game.
Even better, the lessons have gamification concepts built into the pedagogy, so kids are as addicted to learning to code as they are to playing video games.
Small Sessions
It’s hard for students of any age and subject to learn course material in a noisy, disruptive environment. The fewer students there are, the easier it is for teachers to provide a calm and constructive classroom.
Ideally, your online coding class should have a maximum of four students per teacher, so each pupil gets the attention they deserve without having to shout over classmates. Also, be on the lookout for a school that runs sessions without a minimum requirement—you don’t want your child to get excited for classes only to learn the program was cancelled because not enough students signed up.
Kids and parents will appreciate the predictability after the last couple of years without it.
Important Coding Languages
General computer skills are good, but it’s even better when kids know how to program using the specific coding languages powering the most popular apps, websites, and video games today. Not all languages are equally important.
Stay on the hunt for a coding program that teaches important coding languages industry professionals regularly use, such as:
- Python
- Java
- JavaScript
- C#
- C++
Even 6-year-old kids aren’t too young to learn Python! Students can expand their skills within each language before advancing to more difficult ones as they go. The best coding programs have classes catering to all skill and experience levels.
Adults today grew up in a world without cellphones, never mind smartphones. Today’s youth might be accustomed to dazzling devices, but that doesn’t mean they have the computer or coding skills to take tomorrow’s tech world into the future. Look for a program that has all the above features, and your kid will gain the necessary coding skills in a fun and supportive environment.
[Image Credit: Mikhail Nilov via Pexels]
