Are virtual coding camps really worth it?

[Anonymous]

I'm curious to know how much kids really learn from online coding camps and what's the real value for money? We tried Scratch for my 2nd grader, by going to its website, downloading the program and learning on the go, then found Code.org that had great tutorials and exercises for free. DD enjoys Code.org and progresses quickly. I"m very curious what distinct advantages coding classes have over these non-profit sites?

[Anonymous]

Codefy has great, free online coding classes run by local teens and young adults: https://www.codefycs.org/

My daughter did two classes with them and I thought it was great. Alas, she isn’t interested in additional coding instruction.

[Anonymous]

I found zero value in the three coding camps DS did.

Coding is one of those magic things that is ideal for learning on your own. It’s easier to find instructions on your own, they are pretty easy to follow in written form (like pausing a YouTube video to copy something down) and the biggest thing is that know immediately whether or not you have messed up.

With an online group class it’s hard for a teacher to really see where you went wrong in your code, and of course if you don’t understand something you either have to look it up on your own or ask the teacher, taking up class time from everybody else who is ready for the next step.

And in one of my kids’ coding classes, he was told to watch a 45-minute video and follow the instructions on his own. This didn’t happen

But I suppose DS did have fun. And he learned some things. But I’m not doing online coding camps anymore.

[Anonymous]

My daughter hated coding camp. She thought she was going to learn Python but they did scratch which is coding for kids. I didn’t realize she knew what python was at 9 years old! Lol

[Anonymous]

Depends on the coding camp. I teach coding and have looked at lots to see what is out there. And done a lot of trial and error with my students.

Here's my advice.

Avoid Scratch or anything like it unless you have young kids - K-3rd grade.

Check to see how they code - is it a in "real" environment where they actually write code, test it and run it? Or is it just an online tutorial where they answer questions or write code snippets.

Biggest way kids learn is to write some code on their own, get frustrated, and then have someone debug/correct their code with them. This leads to great "Aha" moments. But, if they never struggle, they will never learn. In my online camps, my kids all work in cloud editors so I can access their code and see exactly what they are doing. I'll go in and add comments between classes or review it with them.

Do they create something of their own or something they can show off? Own webpage, own app?

Final thing - teaching in person is so much easier for everyone so if you can do that - do it. If not, make sure you do a class with a real instructor who has access to their code.

[Anonymous]

You might get more value about in person camps or classes. My kid has taken some thru Mindframe and George Mason MGTA.