Teaching Programming in K12: Benefits and Challenges

By: Kat Sarmiento

The rapid advancement of technology greatly affected how we live, work, and learn. The result? Increased demand for workers with a strong foundation in computer science and programming. 

According to US Labor statistics, the global talent shortage of software engineers may reach $85.2 million by 2030. This forecast emphasizes the importance of integrating programming education in K12 schools.

Educators have a huge role to play in preparing the next generation for the future. They must equip students with valuable technical skills and develop critical thinking. This article will discuss the benefits and challenges of teaching programming in K12.

Benefits of Teaching Programming in K12

As K-12 educators, it's important to understand the powerful impact teaching programming can have on your students. Here's a quick rundown of some of the most significant benefits:

• Boosting problem-solving skills: By teaching programming, you're challenging your students to think logically, break down complex problems, and find creative solutions. It's a mental workout that helps build their problem-solving muscles.
  

• Fostering critical thinking and creativity: Programming requires students to tap into their critical thinking and creative skills. They must dream up innovative solutions to problems, sparking their imagination and igniting a love for learning.

• Preparing future tech professionals: The demand for technology professionals is rising, and programming education is more important than ever. By teaching your students programming, you're setting them up for successful careers in the tech world.

• Nurturing growth mindsets: Learning to program can be challenging, but it's also an excellent opportunity for students to develop a growth mindset. You'll help them embrace challenges, overcome obstacles, and become confident, resilient learners.

• Developing a money mindset: Programming concepts such as algorithms and data structures can be applied to various financial contexts. This can help produce graduates with financial skills critical to a successful career.

Challenges in Teaching Programming in K12

The benefits of establishing a solid programming foundation for K12 students are undeniable. However, there are challenges that may hinder students from reaping these benefits. As educators, we can quickly become advocates for overcoming the hurdles below.

• Access to technology: Access to technology is crucial for learning programming, but not all students have equal access to the tools they need. This presents a challenge in ensuring all students have the opportunity to learn and engage with programming activities.

• Qualified teachers: A shortage of teachers who are knowledgeable about programming and have the ability to teach it effectively can also pose a challenge. Finding such teachers often feels like searching for a needle in a haystack.

• Resistance from school administrators and parents: Some school administrators and parents may not fully understand the importance of programming education, leading to resistance to incorporating it into the curriculum. This can make it challenging to prioritize programming activities.

• Integration into the curriculum: Incorporating programming into the curriculum can be difficult. Adjusting the existing curriculum to make room for programming activities and ensuring they are taught effectively is no simple task.

Best Practices in Teaching Programming

There always seems to be a challenge to tackle in our profession, and teaching programming isn’t any different. However, the difficulties are worth the benefits. To succeed, make sure to follow the best practices. These include the following:

• Hands-on assignments: Hands-on projects like building websites, coding playing cards, or programming with LEGO bricks can make programming concepts more accessible and engaging for students.

• Collaboration and peer support: Group projects also provide collaboration and peer learning opportunities, boosting teamwork and communication skills alongside programming skills.

• Teacher professional development: Providing teachers with the training and resources they need to teach programming effectively is necessary to expand programming efforts in our schools. This might include workshops, online training, or conference attendance.

• Relevance through real-world applications: Bringing programming to life by connecting it with real-world applications can increase student motivation and deepen their understanding. They may create a weather app that provides local weather updates or track personal finances, which can also help build a money mindset.

What Makes Teaching in K12 Different?

Teaching programming in K-12 is distinct from teaching in other contexts. In K-12, the emphasis is on building a strong foundation in programming concepts and nurturing 21st-century skills. The curriculum and teaching methods must also be suitable for K-12 students and highly engaging for them.

The objective is not to produce professional programmers but to equip students with skills and knowledge to thrive in the future. The curriculum must be accessible to students of varying prior experience and include hands-on projects and real-world applications to make it relevant and exciting.

Much like encouraging girls to study STEM, educators must intentionally close the gap in programming opportunities in K12 education. It won’t be easy and may take a long time, but it’s easy to recognize the considerable benefits of the effort. 

Conclusion

Incorporating computer programming courses in K12 education has far-reaching benefits for students beyond just preparing them for technology careers. These courses can help students develop critical skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and a growth mindset and instill a positive money mindset. 

Despite the challenges, K12 educators can significantly shape their students' futures by providing engaging and accessible programming education.

Mobile Ed’s STEAM Museum is an easy way to incorporate hands-on coding activities into elementary curriculums. With 12 hands-on stations to teach different STEAM principles, students can experience the thrill of working with modern technologies for themselves. Learn more about the STEAM Museum here.

For more helpful resources for educators, follow the Mobile Ed blog!

Blog post contributed by Kat Sarmiento. Kat is a Molecular Biology Scientist turned Growth Marketing Scientist. She's the current Operations Director at Galactic Fed. During her free time, she loves to write articles that will bring delight, empower women, and spark the business mind. She loves to bake, but unfortunately, baking doesn't love her back. She has many things in her arsenal, and writing is one of her passion projects.