Explore the Uncategorized Archives at Simply Coding for insights, tips, and resources on coding, programming, and tech trends. Learn and grow with us!

Every Kid Needs Coding – Don’t Be Left Behind

/0 Comments/in /by

The skill of the future & why every child needs coding

Look around you Every Child Needs Coding, computers are everything. I bet you can’t name a job that doesn’t include using a computer – I dare you. It just doesn’t happen. So why not understand
learn coding by bill gates Every Child Needs Codingthem? In a recent report, by the year 2020 5 million jobs will be lost to automation. Now, it’s not that you can’t get a job in the future if you don’t know any basic code, but it is saying that it will be very hard to get one of those jobs. Why play Texas Hold ’em with 1 card? Instead, choose to play with pocket aces, and learn computer coding. The time is now! kids are creative and smart. They are open to new learning strategies and have the chance to learn a valuable skill right now!

“Learning to write programs stretches your mind, helps you think better, creates a way of thinking about things that I think is helpful in all domains.” –Bill Gates

Coding for Kids – Regardless of Profession

Computer developers are not the only people who use code. This is a common misconception. Marketing/Advertising, Public Relations, Sales, Human Resources and many other jobs often ask for applicants to have some background in coding. If you docoding for kids Every Child Needs Codingn’t believe me go to glassdoor.com (or any job search engine) and search for jobs in any of these fields. Under skills, most will ask for a basic knowledge of JavaScript, HTML or CSS. An applicant without any of these skills is instantly placed at the bottom of the list. It isn’t enough to understand social media or to be familiar with just tech. Knowing how to use a computer is not the same as knowing how a computer works. Every Child Needs Coding to make sure they stand out for the future.

With coding, children gain a deep understanding of the digital world around them, empowering them with the ability to innovate and problem-solve in a technology-driven society. For example, in marketing or sales, knowing how to code allows employees to better understand website functionality and user interface, and even develop unique strategies for reaching and engaging audiences online. Coding skills are increasingly becoming an asset across various industries, not just technology.

We give your child a head start

Stop allowing your kids to waste entire summers playing video games and watching YouTube. Give them the chance to learn a new skill while still having fun. With summer camps available all summer long, they can finally start getting familiar with code. Whether they try it for one week or do a whole month, we can help them start understanding code with fun, interactive methods like learning JavaScript through modding Minecraft. Every Child Needs Coding to better understand computer programming languages and the courses allow them to create using all of them.

At these camps, children are not just learning how to code—they are developing critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills that will benefit them for years to come. Many coding camps now focus on providing a hands-on experience that keeps kids engaged and makes the learning process enjoyable. Minecraft modding, for example, allows children to see the direct results of their coding efforts, which is both fun and highly rewarding.

computer terms for dummies Every Child Needs CodingALSO…A FREE GIFT for You!

If you haven’t already we are offering our “techie” dictionary. THE “TECHIE” DICTIONARY FOR PARENTS WHO DON’T UNDERSTAND THEIR KIDS’ COMPUTER JARGON. Have you heard your children use words like Scratch, MMO, Javascript, Minecraft Mods, Github, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, or even Java? Well… we’ve compiled a list of the TOP 70 computer jargon words you need to know as a parent in this FREE parents guide. Think of it as a “computer terms for dummies” type read, but entertaining! CLAIM IT HERE.

 

Don’t Let Your Kids Waste Another Summer! Take Coding Classes This Summer

/0 Comments/in /by

A summer of learning

Imagine this scenario: a Summer Coding where your child plays video games and learns a new valuable skill. Here at Simply Coding, this isn’t just a dream scenario, but a reality. Let’s be honest, it can be challenging to find something in the Summer Coding that challenges children while at the same time allowing the children to enjoy what they are doing. We understand this, which is why what we are doing is revolutionary. Our summer programs allow your children to not only learn computer coding skills but also let them play Minecraft while they learn!

Why Summer Coding Works

We developed our software with the realization that children get a real sense of satisfaction if they relate to what they create. By working through Minecraft, the kids can compare what they create to what they have already experienced. They get excited to see the things that they create in a game that they already know and love. As the children evolve in their coding skills, they enjoy the art of coding itself, unlocking their true creativity.

How does playing a video game teach code

Minecraft, the game, is written in Javascript code. Javascript is one of the three core languages of the World Wide Web, which means that it is very used and very valuable. By understanding Minecraft’s code the kids are learning to read and manipulate Javascript code. The kids will learn to build websites and write code all with their knowledge that started by learning to make mods in Minecraft.

See for yourself

Our summer programs have gone on for a couple of years now. During this time we perfected and fixed our program so that the children learn the necessities of coding, while at the same time enjoying showing up daily to perfect their projects. These lessons encourage the kids to upload everything they do to their own personal portfolio on github.com (just like this). They will be able to show these portfolios to future schools and future employers. To see other games made by real students, go to the student page on the home screen of simplycoding.org and under the student tab, click on code dungeon.

Our goal is for these kids to be career-ready one day while enjoying the learning process right now.

To learn more about the summer camps, or to reserve a spot, contact us here.

 

Stay Safe on Social Media

/0 Comments/in /by

3 Easy Tips to Make Sure Your Kids Are Social Media Safe

Whether it be Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, social media can be a really fun way to interact with friends. It provides a platform for sharing experiences, keeping up with trends, and maintaining connections with loved ones. As much fun as they can be, we need to always remember there are real threats to using these tools. Social Media can be dangerous too, especially for children who might not fully understand the risks. Cyberbullying, online predators, and exposure to inappropriate content are just a few concerns that parents need to be aware of.

So, how do we protect ourselves, and make sure our kids are protected too? Here are a few practical tips to help teach your kids about social media safety while fostering a sense of responsibility and awareness.

1-Don’t let young kids roam free

First things first, if your child is under the age of 13 make sure all of their accounts and passwords are connected to your device or computer. This is a critical step in ensuring their safety. By having total access to their accounts, you’re in a better position to oversee their activities and manage potential risks.

However, this doesn’t mean you should micromanage or invade their privacy by reading every message they send or receive. Instead, focus on being a guide and a protector. You should have total access to them. I’m not saying you should log on and read their messages, but you should be able to block or unfollow anyone that you feel could be a danger to them. It’s important to trust your kids, it’s even more important to make sure they are safe.

Remember, there are some nasty things on social media, and you never know what is happening if you don’t have full access to your children’s accounts. Social media is full of content that can be inappropriate, harmful, or even predatory, and it’s difficult to know what is happening if you don’t have full access to your child’s accounts. So be smart, don’t allow your kids under 13 to have total reign over their accounts.

2-Stay private

Privacy is one of the best tools for ensuring safety on social media. Always encourage your kids to set their accounts to private, which allows only approved friends to view their posts. This simple step can significantly reduce the risks of strangers gaining access to their personal information or photos.

REMEMBER: IF YOU ALLOW PEOPLE Social Media SafeTO FOLLOW YOU THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW, YOU ARE NO LONGER PRIVATE. Make sure you monitor the people your child allows to follow them. If you don’t know who they are, ask. Being social media safe means constant checkups to stay social media safe. If you have any questions on how to make your social media accounts private, this should help. Building an ongoing conversation about social media safety is key to staying protected.

Social media safety also requires consistent checkups. Regularly review privacy settings and ensure they are up to date. Some platforms frequently update their privacy policies, which can unintentionally expose personal information if not managed properly. Take time to explore the privacy settings together with your child and explain why each setting is important.

If you’re unsure how to make accounts private, don’t hesitate to look for guides or resources online to help you navigate these settings effectively.

3-Parody accounts are a wild card

Accounts that are created for memes and other funny internet things are usually accounts trying to build a large following to earn money through ads. Make sure you know what parody accounts your children are following. Once these accounts have a large enough following, they will often post inappropriate content for an easy buck. Don’t fall into the trap of a couple of stupid jokes just to put your child at risk of seeing something that they shouldn’t. Remember being social media safe means preventing the problem before you have to deal with the problem. Don’t let social media teach your children about the birds and the bees.

We’d love to hear about other ways to protect our kids on social media. Leave us a comment and let us know how you do it! Being social media smart is a joint effort.

kids-school

Internet Safety; Is Your Child Safe on the Internet?

/0 Comments/in /by

6 Tips to Help Parents Understand Proper Kids Internet Safety

The Internet can be a dangerous place. Without the proper precautions, your child’s safety could be at risk. From inappropriate content to cyber predators, the risks are real and ever-evolving. With one click even kids can access things that would give most adults a stomach ache. So how can you make sure that what they are viewing is safe?

The best way to combat the dangers of the internet is to know what they are! Educating yourself about potential threats and staying proactive can make a huge difference. Your Kids Internet Safety should be the number one goal. By setting clear boundaries and staying involved, you can create a safe online environment for your child.

Here is a list of the best ways to make sure that your children are safe while using the internet.

1. Computer location is key

Make sure the computer is located in an area of non-privacy, like the front room or kitchen. Having the device in a shared space not only promotes responsible usage but also provides an opportunity for parents to observe their child’s browsing habits in real-time. This prevents kids from wandering the internet (like clicking random links) without parental supervision.

Kids Internet Safety depends much on how daring they are willing to be and they are much less likely to take chances if someone else can see what they are doing. Consider setting up family usage hours to encourage transparency and limit excessive screen time.

2. Be a part of their cyber world

Know what types of social media and forms of entertainment your children use. Stay informed about trending platforms and apps to better understand their online behaviour. Follow their social media accounts and check their posts and comments somewhat regularly.

Make sure you know who is commenting and liking their photos and posts. If you don’t know who someone is, ASK! Encourage open discussions about their online friends and guide them on recognizing potential red flags, such as strangers asking for personal information.

Kids Internet Safety

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Account privacy is most important for Kids Internet Safety

Teach your kid not to share passwords, even with their best friends. You never know who else will find out. Reinforce the importance of using strong, unique passwords for each platform and updating them regularly.

Keeping information private is the best way to stay safe on the internet. Teach your kids to log out of computers, even if they are personal or home computers. Also, make sure to check your search engine settings. Most search engines allow parental controls that will help narrow the list of possible choices that appear when your children are surfing the internet.

In addition, consider enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) on accounts to add an extra layer of security.

4. Keep up with software

Use antiviruses and pop-up blockers. There are plenty of free or pay-for-use pop-up blockers and antiviruses available on the Kids Internet Safety. Regular software updates are essential to patch security vulnerabilities that could put your child’s data at risk.

Antiviruses keep your computer safe from bugs and malware. This is just like putting up a fence to keep your toddler in the yard. It’s a precaution if everything else goes wrong. Additionally, parental control software can help track online activities and block harmful content proactively.

To find the best antivirus for Windows, click here. Of the top ten, nine are pay-for-use, however, if your budget is tight there is a free one too.

Here is a link to the same site but for Mac computers. All on this list are paid, but fear not, here is another link for free Mac antiviruses. Be sure to choose software that suits your family’s needs and preferences.

5. Don’t just ban, understand

One in four children see porn by the age of 12. Try to understand why this is and make sure you stay in constant communication with your children about what they are viewing on the internet. If something goes wrong on the internet, don’t react by blaming your child. Instead, make yourself available for conversation if anything that they stumble on makes them uncomfortable.

6. What is put on the internet stays on the internet

Make sure that your kids know that whatever they put on the internet, even if deleted later, is still on the internet. This makes anyone think twice about whatever they think they want to post on the internet.

Let us know what you think about this list and if you have another way of keeping your children safe. Together, we can make the Internet a child-friendly zone!

#kidsafeinternet

Test Scores VS Skills Set. What’s Better for Homeschoolers?

/0 Comments/in /by

The Changing Education Landscape: Moving Beyond Test Scores vs Skills

I was at lunch with our Founder and President, Seth Iorg, a few months ago, and we were speaking to a gentlemanTest Scores vs Skills who works for a highly reputable online charter school. (I won’t mention the name). But he started to tell us that this notion that “it’s all about Test Scores vs Skills (i.e., ACTs, high school exams, SATs, etc.)” is no longer the driving force of academic success. School exams aren’t even the focus anymore. The new phrase they use now is “College and Career Ready.

Helping kids of today’s day and age become ready for college and know exactly what they want or need to study OR preparing them for future careers is what matters now. This shift in focus from standardized tests to real-world skills and career readiness reflects the evolving job market and the increasing demand for practical, hands-on expertise.

It’s no longer just about getting into college; it’s about providing children with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly changing workforce. The old model focused primarily on academic performance as a measure of success, but we now recognise that students need a more comprehensive preparation that includes career exploration and practical skills.

Our Vision: A Real Coding Pathway for Youth Test Scores vs Skills

This had quite an impact on both of us. We then decided to coin the phrase underneath our logo, and it has now become our company motto! We want to provide a REAL coding (computer programming) PATHWAY for youth, so by the time they turn 16-18 years of age, the child knows where to invest his/her time. Is it to pursue college? Is it to go directly into a career that may not require college? Whatever it may be, the parents will feel confident that their good money is not wasted.

Simply Coding, Inc. has been designed around this concept. We believe that the traditional education system often fails to offer students the practical skills they need to succeed in today’s tech-driven economy. That’s why we focus on teaching coding in a way that is hands-on, engaging, and directly relevant to the real world.

We put kids in a real coding environment (HTML, CSS, javascript, java, python, etc.) and allow them to create THEIR portfolios on GitHub of their projects and games to show to future employers, internships, and so much more! This approach not only equips them with the skills they need but also builds a tangible portfolio that demonstrates their capabilities in a competitive job market.

Why Coding is Essential for Career Readiness

In today’s world, coding has become a vital skill for many industries. From web development to game design, software engineering to data science, coding is integral to the innovation that drives our economy. With technology becoming increasingly central to every industry, teaching kids to code gives them a head start in understanding the building blocks of our digital world.

At Simply Coding, we teach children how to write code in popular programming languages like JavaScript, Python, Java, and HTML/CSS. By learning these foundational languages, they gain the tools to create websites, develop apps, and build games, all while building essential problem-solving skills. In addition to these Test Scores vs Skills, coding also fosters creativity and resilience, as students learn how to troubleshoot and iterate on their work.

By creating projects and coding games, students get to see their ideas come to life. This not only boosts their confidence but also gives them a sense of ownership over their learning process.

Building a Portfolio for Future Opportunities

One of the most significant advantages of learning to code at a young age is the ability to build a portfolio of projects.1649793477063 Portfolios provide concrete evidence of a student’s skills and accomplishments, making them invaluable when applying for jobs or internships in the future. At Simply Coding, we guide our students to use GitHub to upload their projects, creating a personal portfolio that can be shared with potential employers or college admissions teams.

Portfolios serve as an ongoing showcase of a student’s growth and development in coding. They become a reflection of the hard work, creativity, and problem-solving skills that students apply as they move through different coding challenges and projects.

Having a portfolio of completed projects is also helpful for students who choose to enter the workforce immediately after high school. Employers often value practical experience over formal education, and having a strong coding portfolio gives young people an edge in securing internships or full-time positions.

Empowering Parents with Confidence Test Scores vs Skills

As parents, it’s natural to want to ensure that your child’s education and extracurricular activities are worthwhile. Investing in coding education is not only a smart choice of Test Scores vs Skills; it’s an investment in your child’s future success. When you enrol your child in a coding program, you’re giving them the tools to succeed in both colleges and the career world.

Our mission at Simply Coding is to offer a pathway to real-world outcomes. We want parents to feel confident that their children are learning valuable skills that will help them achieve their dreams, whether those dreams involve higher education or a fulfilling career.

Conclusion: Preparing Youth for Success Test Scores vs Skills

The world is changing, and so is education. At Simply Coding, we are committed to ensuring that kids are “College and Career Ready” by providing them with practical, real-world coding skills. By offering a comprehensive coding education, we empower children to take control of their future, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed in the digital world.

Top 5 Things Learned at Great Homeschool Convention

/0 Comments/in /by

Just got back about a week ago from our first Great Homeschool Convention. It was a great time meeting all the wonderful parents there who passed by our booth and saw the passion they have for their kids. Just got back about a week ago from our first Great Homeschool Convention. It was a great time meeting all the wonderful parents there who passed by our booth and saw the passion they have for their kids. We were inspired by the incredible dedication these parents showed in providing the best for their children’s education. What great Christian beliefs and friendly people. The event highlighted the power of community among homeschoolers, and the excitement in the air was palpable.

Here are the key takeaways from our Homeschool Convention experience:

1. Parents Want Family Discounts for Online Coding Pathways

One of the most frequent requests we heard at the Homeschool Convention was for family discounts. Parents want to be able to enrol multiple children in our online coding pathways without breaking the bank. After listening to their feedback, we’re happy to announce that we’ve implemented a new family membership option. Now, you can easily add family members to your regular monthly membership. Plus, if one of the kids decides coding isn’t for them, you can downgrade later without hassle. We love making coding accessible for everyone, and this new feature is a step in that direction.

2. Homeschool Parents Are Truly Awesome

We discovered just how dedicated and caring homeschool parents are at the Homeschool Convention. Their commitment to their children’s education goes above and beyond, and it’s clear that they prioritize equipping their kids with essential life skills. From one-on-one teaching to fostering creativity, these parents are building strong foundations for the future of their children. It was incredibly humbling to witness the level of care and attention they put into their children’s learning experiences.

3. Every Child Needs Coding

Every Child Needs Coding As we thought more about the benefits of coding, it became crystal clear at the Homeschool Convention that coding is an essential skill for the future. We researched job postings on websites like Monster.com and were shocked at how many positions, even entry-level ones, required knowledge of coding languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Whether your child is interested in tech careers or not, learning these fundamental coding skills early can open up countless opportunities in almost every field.

Level ONE coding is a must-have for anyone’s resume! The more we think about it, the more convinced we are that teaching kids coding is one of the most valuable things we can do for their futures. Coding equips kids with critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity—skills needed in every profession.

4. Age Isn’t the Best Indicator for Coding Readiness

We also learned at the Homeschool Convention that age isn’t always the best factor in determining whether a child is ready to start coding. Instead, typing skills are a much better indicator. We found that if a child can type around 15 words per minute on Nitrotype, they’ll likely have a good experience learning coding. This typically happens around age 10, but it’s important to focus on typing ability rather than just age. Kids who can type quickly can dive into coding without frustration, making the learning process smoother.

If your child is ready to type, they’re probably ready to code. It’s not about age, but about skills and readiness. So, if your child is eager to try coding, but they’re still working on typing speed, you might want to focus on improving their typing first.

5. Twix Was the Preferred Chocolate at Our Booth

And lastly, we learned a very important lesson at the Homeschool Convention: when it comes to booth candy, Twix reigns supreme. We had a variety of candy available at our booth, but Twix was by far the favourite among visitors. Baby Ruth, unfortunately, came in last place, so we’re already considering a different candy lineup for next time. It’s these little moments that make conventions so much fun. We never expected candy preferences to be such a big talking point, but it was a crowd-pleaser!

To Your Child’s Success,

Dustin