StudioWeb was designed and refined, to allow teachers with no prior coding knowledge, to be able to teach a classroom with confidence. I can set up a free trial, so you can review StudioWeb. Just let me know.
We provide courses in 3 programming languages:
Python
JavaScript
PHP
The courses are beginner to intermediate level. So we should be able to accommodate the mixed level of students you have in your classroom.
For your Python aware students, you can have them work on the web languages (HTML, CSS and JavaScript) … which will compliment their Python skills. You could also have them do our Python course, because it will likely give them another point of view, regarding Python. I cover some more advanced Python topics in that course, like using modules and object oriented programming.
For your beginners, you can have them either start with Python, then continue into the web languages, as your more advanced Python students have. Or, you can have them start with the web languages:
HTML5
CSS3
JavaScript
… To be able to do JavaScript, students need to know HTML5 and at least some CSS. We cover all of the above.
Cost:
$10 per student per course or $20 per student for all the courses you need. Most go with the $20 option and teach:
HTML5
CSS3
JavaScript
Python
We also have certifications in the above languages at an extra cost of $35/student per certificate. Though we have been providing certification services for schools since 2011.
Here are some samples of the printable certification students will earn when they pass a certification exam:
Schools are looking for ways to introduce coding into the classroom, and they have been told that dragging blocks on a screen is coding.
The most popular of these visual ‘code’ teaching tools, is an app called Scratch. The problem is, Scratch is not coding.
Here is a sample of some actual code – a little JavaScript:
function myFunction(p1, p2) {
return p1 * p2;
}
var person = {
firstName:"John",
lastName:"Doe",
age:50,
eyeColor:"blue"
};
Or how about some CSS3 code:
div {
width: 300px;
border: 25px solid green;
padding: 25px;
margin: 25px;
}
Now compare that above code snippets to the Scratch ‘code’ block in the top right.
Now as an educator, I ask myself if students will see the relationship between the Scratch block, with actual code? I personally don’t see it.
Scratch cat
A place for Scratch in a Code Curriculum
You could argue that Scratch is very simple programming, since you are controlling the character on screen with a series of commands. But given that nobody uses Scratch to do anything in the real world, why not teach students true programming and coding languages? With the right courses, lessons and supporting software, you can!
That said, Scratch can be used for elementary students in the 4-5th grade or younger, perhaps to introduce some basic coding concepts to students. But, I feel this will have a limited impact. Why?
Writing Real Code helps Internalize Concepts
I have been teaching code since 2003, and one thing that experience has taught me, is that the writing of actual code has a powerful impact in terms of understanding and internalizing coding concepts. It’s important to have students break out the code editor (a tool that coders use) and write code, break code and build actual projects.
… When students see their code come to life in real things, you will see their engagement skyrocket.
