Super complicated client side JavaScript and CSS, are all too common these days.
Are you being original or just gumming up the works?
A simple -if not a little insulting- acronym. How many times have we come across a co-worker, a manager, or even a boss drooping the old “kiss bomb”. Keep it simple, stupid… easier said than done? Sometimes, YES: absolutely. But other times, when we take a step back and look at the whole picture (maybe even take our egos out of the equation), we come to realize that simplicity can be clean, elegant and best of all easy.
Huge messes of code are a symptom of one or more of the following:
1. bad developers
2. overly complex frameworks
3. coders purposely hiding code …. by making it insanely complex.
At the risk of sounding old, “It’s not cool to write complex cryptic code that nobody can understand. Simple code is the best code”…ya young punks! And really you’re only hurting yourselves… What’s gonna happen when you have to go in 6, 8, 10 months down the road for updates and you have no idea what’s going on?
The pros keep the their work simple and clean where they can and not only do they look good, competent and in control; it saves them time. So get out there make life simple for yourself.
There’s a lot of hype surrounding blockchain. But before you start signing up for blockchain 101 consider this…
Cryptocurrency. Bitcoin. Blockchain… These words have garnered their fair share of both esteem and infamy. But are we really talking about when we use these words? What’s the correlation and (let’s be honest with ourselves), how can we use it to make money?!
Well, let’s take Blockchain. Essentially it’s just a database, albeit an ingenious and very popular one right now, that regularly updates -and continually reconciles- all information stored on it (files, spreadsheets, etc.) in real time (for lack of a better word). Two users (or more likely two million users) can be messing around – editing and changing information at the same time- with no loss or corruption of data. Which makes it ideal for keeping track of and implementing Cryptocurrencies like BitCoin.
And just like any new and interesting thing on the market that can be implemented in ways that potentially save or make millions of dollars , there are classes and courses sprouting up everywhere offering education and certification in Blockchain – makes sense right? Should you drop everything and learn Blockchain? Not necessarily…
To be clear, we are not taking anything away from Blockchain, it is an amazing database that has and will have some incredible applications. We just think you should consider all your options. And as for cryptocurrencies like BitCoin, we have some insight and friendly advice into that too. But that’s another post… in fact, this one…right here…
Some of the most important things programmers need to learn, are the foundational concepts and techniques I refer to as the ‘core’.
Here are few examples:
• consistent and proper naming conventions.
• code formatting.
• simple modular code.
• using accepted design patterns like MVC.
• importance of being consistent with the way an apps’ codebase is structured.
Sadly, fundamentals like these are omitted by most online courses. These lessons should be interwoven within the context of any good programming course.
The ‘core’ principles are soooooo important, because they not only provide a solid foundation, they actually speed up the process of learning.
Check out my popular web design and development training package:
There is a growing awareness in the value of vocational education. For many students, college and university may not be their best choice, so it makes sense prepare them with valuable in demand skills.
With that in mind, it’s safe to say that coding and programming, is the 21st century vocational skill.
StudioWeb’s unique curriculum
A vocationally capable code curriculum is hard to find. In fact, I haven’t found any other than StudioWeb.
This is probably because to create an effective set of courses, that teach both practical coding skills and theory, the courses (and software) has to be created by someone who:
Has teaching experience and skill.
Has commercial experience writing code.
Is an accomplished presenter and author.
Seven years ago, when I first designed the software and course structure for StudioWeb, I was able to pour into it my years of experience teaching code, creating courses, and writing commercial software. I believe this combination, was a key reason why StudioWeb’s curriculum has proven to be so popular with students and teachers.
In the video below, I go over my top 7 web design teaching tips for teachers. Here are the bullet points:
1. Use the spiral teaching method
2. Self paced learning is best
3. Encourage students to use online training resources
4. Web Design software is NOT important
Everyone knows that kids should learn to code for a variety of reasons. Here are just a few:
Opens up possibilities for future jobs
Develops problem solving skills
Develops logical thinking skills
… As such, we are starting to see the growth of coding camps for kids.
Schools are slowly introducing coding
Often times, schools have limited time and resources, and as such, it will likely be many more years until coding is part of core curriculum in many schools.
Parents around the world are taking the initiative to give their kids a headstart, and are enrolling them in code camps. These camps take place either during the summer months, or throughout the school year, after regular school hours. Many entrepreneurs are stepping up to meet this growing need.
What are the skills required to start a code camp?
Typically, if you are to teach code, you need a person who knows how to write code, and who knows how to teach as well. Not a common skillset, and not that easy for the average person to learn both skills.
Code camp owners have a few options: build these skills (which is a daunting task for most,) or hire a teacher/developer. But both options presents its’ own problems. Another solution is to use StudioWeb, a system that allows just about anyone to successfully manage a code class.
StudioWeb allows teachers to facilitate a code classroom
After 7 years of refinements, the StudioWeb app and code courses, allows anyone to lead a coding classroom. With StudioWeb, teachers don’t need to know the languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python), they don’t need to design the course lessons, the quizzing and student projects. With StudioWeb, you literally have a turnkey tool that automates the classroom.
… Among the many features, StudioWeb generates accurate grades, usage reports, and even awards badges and certificates that students can print and mount. All handled by the StudioWeb web application, and is practically effortless to manage. Teachers love it. Especially teachers who don’t know code!
Advantages of starting a code camp:
No coding skills required with StudioWeb.
Great for stay-at-home moms!
Very small startup cost, since most students will have a laptop, or the camp will only need to supply inexpensive Chromebooks and inexpensive headphones.
Easy to get people excited to sign up to a camp.
If you would be interested in setting up a code camp, feel free to contact StudioWeb.
It is well known that code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python) is now an essential subject for students of all ages. Many US states and countries around the world, are making code a core part of their curriculum.
… The challenge many schools are facing though, is finding teachers to teach the coding classes.
StudioWeb’s Professional Development in Teaching Code
After working with many schools in the US and abroad, StudioWeb has developed an effective and engaging professional development program for teachers who have never written a single line of code!
Learn to teach code as you learn the course material for your classes
Teacher’s are super busy, and so it makes sense for them to learn to teach code, with the course material that they will be using to teach their students with. It’s a two for one!! The StudioWeb program has proven to fit that role perfectly.
How does it work?
Teachers do the StudioWeb courses on the subjects they will be teaching … like HTML, JavaScript, Python.
As teachers learn to code, they will also be learning the structure of the lessons, quizzes, projects and the code challenges!
Now teachers know how to code, and they know the courses they will be teaching with!
So rather than learning the coding languages, then having to find or develop a curriculum … professional development with StudioWeb means you get both at the same time.
… Needless to say, teachers love it!
If you are interested in learning how to teach code with our teacher approved (and proven!) curriculum, you are invited to contact us.
I am happy to announce that we will be releasing a new course for schools: Powerful Python 3. Part of our collection of coding courses, designed specially for classroom learning.
Powerful Python 3 is designed for students (and teachers) who are totally new to code! The course is made up of easy to follow video lessons, followed by fun and effective quizzing and code challenges.
… Like all StudioWeb courses, we provide a complete curriculum that includes projects, a grading rubric and our powerful auto-grading system that provides accurate grades by course, chapter and lesson.
StudioWeb’s Python course will finally make learning and teaching Python, easy for the novice coder.
Please feel to contact us if you have any questions!
