The effectiveness of learning to code with coding cards


When trying to understand the principles of coding, it is easier for kids to understand the basics in a step-by-step approach to how coding instructions work.
Coding cards, unplugged coding, or screen-free coding is popular in schools as a way to teach algorithms and conditional statements.
Buy why is this so important?
Being able to understand how computer instructions are processed in our new digital economy which no one can escape from. Besides getting a head start on coding also enhances children’s creativity.
I believe coding should be made a compulsory subject, just like maths, reading, and writing. Coding is used in such a diverse range So how can we fast-track students’ learning when having access to a computer or tablet is limited sometimes, while also ensuring everybody has equal opportunities? Secondly, we want to help create a screen-free environment where our new coders can start learning about coding concepts as soon as possible, even without the screens. That is the beauty of coding cards and with Kainundrum you can do just that. With Kainundrum’s Unplugged coding, you will have access to over 50 types of coding cards.
With coding, what are we teaching our kids?
Algorithms
At the most basic level, coding involves giving instructions to a computer to make something happen. At Kai’s Clan we ask students to act out these instructions in person: move forward, turn right and wait. These instructions are an example of an algorithm. An algorithm is simply a set of instructions given to complete a task.
Debugging
Another word for debugging is problem-solving. Kids need to think ahead and problem-solve by writing the ENTIRE code in advance. They will also get the opportunity to ‘debug‘ if their code doesn’t work out.
Sequences
Students will learn how to build a sequence, using conditions to make their algorithms more efficient. These can be loops of statements, functions, and variables.
Who says only kids can have fun and learn to code? Parents can learn alongside their children by laying out these cards, acting them out, or if you are lucky enough to have a KaiBot that will read the code, record it and act it out for you instead. Kids can stop the code at any time, change and try new sequences.
With Kainundrum, kids can join a virtual game for free and have the option to either just use their WASD keys to complete the mazes and escape rooms, or for those who are up for a challenge, use only the coding blocks to navigate. If you subscribe you can get special access to all the activities and lesson plans that transition from Unplugged coding cards on the table, to the physical tiles with the KaiBot or just join the virtual robots in Kainundrum.