Must-Have Coding for Kids Online Resource to Try: imagi Edu

Must-Have Coding for Kids Online Resource to Try: imagi Edu

 

As a K-5 STEM educator, I am always on the look-out for ways to increase my students’ problem-solving skills with coding. Likewise, I want to ensure that the tool is easy to use, affordable and prepares them for the real world. 

One thing I noticed in my first year teaching K-5 STEM is that my students didn’t have a lot of background knowledge as to what coding was and how it was used. However, while consistently implementing computer science and programming into my curriculum, their skill levels increased over the years.

In terms of teaching coding to elementary-aged students, the typical progression of coding languages I use are: directional coding (with arrows), block-based with images or arrows, then block-based with words. 

However, after block-based, I felt a little stuck knowing which direction to go, and I had students ready for the next challenge!

I was excited when I heard about imagi Edu and how it’s great for introducing students’ ages 8 to 14+ to Python coding in a way that makes sense and is fun!

 

You can try imagi Edu for FREE using my link here. 

 

What’s fun about this platform is that kids are able to learn Python coding as they create colorful pixel-art projects. The imagi Edu platform allows students to code in real Python and then receive immediate feedback on the screen. 

The imagi Edu platform also includes an AI-powered Debugging Buddy, which offers contextual feedback to help students understand and resolve coding errors. It's designed to build confidence and problem-solving skills without shortcutting the learning process. Even if they haven’t taught coding before, teachers can use this feature to make coding instruction more accessible and support student creativity while teaching foundational Python skills.

 

When coding with students, I also look for ways to make the experience tangible and hands-on. To bring students’ pixel art to life, you can connect the imagiCharm and the same code is in the palm of your hand. I actually wrote the code to display my name on the imagiCharm for a conference, and I got a lot of compliments (and questions!) on how I did that.

When getting started, there are also lesson slides to use with your students, which areis so helpful when teaching multiple classes and grade levels a day, because everything is laid out for you. The free version of imagi Edu comes with 5 lessons and 50 student accounts, so it’s easy and affordable to try. 

 

The lessons are step-by-step, which is something I found very useful since I am new to Python coding myself! Even when I was going through Lesson 1 before using imagi Edu with my students, I was learning so much about Python myself and really getting the hang of it. You can see for yourself how easy it is to connect the lessons to concrete coding projects that align with students’ interests. What I realized is that Python isn’t just for older kids, it can be used for younger students as well! 

If you’re looking for a way to level up your coding and teach your students a programming language that is currently used by computer programmers, this is a resource that you want to add into your computer science lesson plans. 

 

You can try imagi Edu for FREE using my link here

 

Have you tried imagi Edu yet? Feel free to send me a DM on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ and let me know what you think! 

 

This post is part of a paid collaboration with imagi Edu. While this is a sponsored partnership, all opinions, ideas, and content are my own, and I only share resources that I believe are valuable and relevant to my audience.

 

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More About the author, Naomi Meredith

Naomi Meredith is an online K-5 STEM Coach in Colorado supporting elementary teachers world-wide navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there. With over a decade of experience teaching, 5 years teaching elementary STEM, along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM Certificate, Naomi helps teachers world-wide to navigate best practices, strategies and tools out there.

She offers a variety of tools to help teachers feel successful teaching STEM to their elementary students through lesson plans, online courses, coaching and speaking events.

She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM, innovation and hands-on learning in their classrooms effectively. She can’t wait to connect with you and be your guide!