Code Breaker: Increase Creativity, Remix Assessment, and Develop a Class of Coder Ninjas!

by Brian Aspinall

Crack the code for your students’ success! Future-ready students need to be creative. They need to know how to communicate their ideas and how to collaborate as problem solvers. And to master these and other twenty-first-century requirements, they will need to be critical thinkers. In Code Breaker, educator Brian Aspinall shares his insights on how to turn curriculum expectations into skills. Students identify problems, develop solutions, and use coding and computational thinking to apply and demonstrate their learning. From Aspinall’s collection of real-life examples and practical lesson ideas, you’ll discover how to... Use computational thinking and coding across all subjects and grade levels Encourage students to let their skills and passions shine Teach learners to take risks so they can grow from failure and feedback Make assessment meaningful—and fun—for you and your students You don’t have to be a “computer geek” to empower your students with these essential skills. Code Breaker equips you to use computational thinking and coding in your classroom—regardless of your computer skill level—to increase creativity, remix assessment, and develop a class of coder ninjas!

Genres: Education

96 pages, Paperback

Published November 29, 2017

Reviews

[Cynthia Aburto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Code Breaker because I found that not only did it provide incredibly useful and concrete ideas for how to use coding to teach concepts in math and english, but I really loved the way that Brian Aspinall described the importance of coding as a mindset. As a computer science and math teacher myself, I’ve always thought the most joyous part of teaching computer science is the way it lends itself so easily to multiple correct responses, creativity, and collaboration. There is always more than one right way to get the same end result in a program. The only limitation is our way of thinking. Some students are actually very uncomfortable at first with the idea that there isn’t a single correct answer their teacher is looking for and I think it’s important for them to explore in those ways that challenge them to truly be creators in the most authentic way. I really appreciated the way that Aspinall explained the importance of those types of experiences; beyond the examples he gave, it really is the mindset that is most important to understand and embrace.

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book, but packed with realistic, helpful guidance for educators looking to incorporate computational thinking and coding into their teaching, Code Breaker reads like Brian Aspinall's presentations, if you've ever had the pleasure of listening to him speak.

The book is a great guide for educators who already have a basic understanding of CT and coding and are looking for their next step and/or rationale to take to others for why these are important components of education. (Complete newbies and/or well-experienced coder educators may not find the book quite as useful; I'm not sure.)

The guide also contains many QR codes to take the reader to more information about specific lessons and real examples. Personally, I look forward to delving into the Micro:Bit lessons that are included, as this is a good next-step for me.

[Stella Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a newbie coder and am working on figuring things out. I “like” block coding but I teach 7th Graders and am wanting to take it further. I’m really wanting to help my students understand why we’re coding and to deepen their level of understanding/application. This book and the resources in it are wonderful and I know I will be able to implement them in my class.

[Deb Gaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian is a rock star

Brian is a rock star - integrating. coding across the curriculum ideas. Read the book, follow him on twitter. Level up your Scratch coding instruction

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at coding. Includes some good examples and a little research to back why would we should teach coding. Wish it had include a bit more. Good list of resources.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short, quick read, but a good intro to teachers interested in coding. Some excellent ideas and inspiration.

[MarkGrabe Grabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief

This is mostly a book of classroom examples based on coding. The text itself is short and much of the length of what you get are short ads for other books.

[Esther Martosoetjipto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is my written emerging technology book review link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F...