The importance of coding and informatics cannot be overstated in today’s digital world. Yet, introducing these concepts to young children can be challenging.
Some of the challenges that a teacher may face:
- Attention and concentration: Younger children typically have shorter attention spans, making it hard to keep them engaged in activities that require sustained focus, such as coding.
- Complexity: Even simple coding tasks often involve multiple steps and problem-solving, which can be overwhelming for young learners still developing their cognitive and logical thinking skills.
- Outdated Equipment: Slow computers and old software hinder the implementation of modern curricula and reduce learning effectiveness.
- Lack of ICT Equipment at Home: Many students do not have access to computers or reliable internet connections at home, limiting their ability to practice coding and develop their informatics skills outside of school.
Teachers overcome those challenges by incorporating short, interactive activities and frequent breaks to maintain children’s engagement and focus. The key to overcoming the challenge of attention span lies in creativity and innovation, turning what might seem like complex and abstract concepts into engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Also maximising the use of available resources including students’ smartphones and exploring opportunities for grants to update technology in school may be helpful. Lack of ICT equipment at home could be overcome by offering extra time in school for practice, providing offline learning materials and organising community programs where students can access the necessary technology.
Overcoming these challenges requires creative and engaging teaching methods that simplify complex ideas and connect them to children’s everyday experiences and interests, while also addressing the technical limitations they face.
Innovative approaches in teaching informatics are crucial due to the rapid development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), which require constant adaptation of teaching methods to prepare students for future challenges. Through creative learning, students not only acquire technical skills but also develop critical thinking that enables them to understand and navigate ever-evolving technologies. Additionally, reflecting on the ethical aspects of AI and technology use is becoming increasingly important, as it helps students make responsible decisions in a world increasingly driven by technology.
In this article, we are sharing some Croatian examples which explore how informatics can be introduced to children in ways that are both fun and educational.
- Bringing History to life with Micro: bit and Morse Code
One of the successful activities was a project where students learned Morse code through the use of Micro: bit, a tiny programmable computer. This activity took place in the Public city library in Nova Gradiška and combined history, communication and coding in an engaging format. Students were not only taught the basics of Morse code but also how to program Micro: bit to send and receive messages.
This project exemplifies how informatics can be integrated with other subjects—in this case, history-making learning multidimensional. By bridging the past with the present, students gained a deeper appreciation for both the history of communication and the power of modern technology.
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- Collaborative learning through hybrid environments
Collaboration is at the heart of innovation and when it comes to teaching coding, it can be a powerful tool. This activity was realised through the partnership of two Croatian primary schools, one in Cernik and another one in Ogulin. Two teachers, Valentina Blašković and Kristina Slišurić, efficiently worked together to create collaborative learning sessions that take place in hybrid remote environments. These sessions connect students from different schools, allowing them to work together on coding challenges.
For instance, during the Meet and Code events, students participated in projects like “AI vs. Human – Rock, Paper, Scissors,” where they explored AI by coding a game that could compete against them. This not only introduced them to AI but also demonstrated how technology can be used to simulate human decision-making.
Such collaborative projects encourage teamwork and peer learning, making the coding process more dynamic and interactive. Students are not just passive learners; they become active participants in the educational process. Remote collaboration opens new ways of learning to students and shows them that they can work together even when they are hundreds of kilometres away from each other.
- Coding meets Creativity: Designing Digital Games
One of the most effective ways to make coding accessible to children is by connecting it to their interests—in this case, gaming. In a series of projects, the teacher guided students to create their digital games. Teaching students game design fosters engagement and creativity while unlocking skills for the future, problem-solving and critical thinking skills, empowering students to bring their own interactive experiences to life.
Using tools like Scratch or Pictoblox, a visual programming language, they learned the basics of game design and programming.
During the “Meet and Code” event, for example, students engaged in a project titled “On the Birthday with Gifts – Programming a Game.” Here, they were tasked with designing a game where characters receive and open gifts. This activity not only taught them coding concepts like loops, conditionals and variables but also allowed them to exercise their creativity.
By framing coding as a tool for creating games, children see the immediate, tangible results of their efforts. This makes learning more rewarding and fosters a sense of accomplishment.
Read more (in Croatian)
- Incorporating AI and robotics
As technology continues to evolve, it’s essential to introduce children to advanced concepts like AI and robotics early on. One project that exemplifies this approach is “Mblock and Artificial Intelligence: Programming an Escape from the Maze,” where students used the Mblock platform to program a robot that could navigate a maze autonomously.
This project was particularly successful in showing students the practical applications of AI and robotics in problem-solving scenarios. They learned how to break down complex tasks into manageable steps, an essential skill in both coding and everyday life.
Read more (in Croatian)
- Community engagement and learning beyond the classroom
Informatics education doesn’t have to be confined to the classroom. In Nova Gradiška’s public city library, coding activities have become a staple of community engagement. Events like “The Secret of the Encrypted Book” invited children to crack codes and unlock mysteries using programming logic.
These community-based activities are crucial in making informatics accessible to all children, not just those in formal education settings. They also encourage family and peer participation, turning learning into a social, communal activity.
Conclusion
Introducing children to informatics through creative and innovative methods can transform their learning experience. By integrating coding with other subjects, fostering collaboration, aligning activities with children’s interests, and incorporating advanced technologies like AI and robotics, we can make informatics both fun and accessible.
These activities not only equip children with essential technical skills but also stimulate their creativity, problem-solving abilities and teamwork. As educators, it’s our responsibility to harness these innovative approaches to prepare the next generation for a world increasingly shaped by technology.
