3 Things You Should Know About Coding

Coding is growing more popular in schools, with classes offering small glimpses into the world of computer languages to teach more kids about technology. Maybe you’ve heard about coding, but still don’t know too much about what it does or takes to be good at.

If you’ve thought about learning to code but want to know more, here are three things you should take into consideration when it comes to coding.

1. It’s Not Rocket Science

Okay, learning to code could very well lead to a future working with rockets so it technically can be “rocket science.”

What we mean is that coding isn’t only meant for mega geniuses and child prodigies. In fact, anyone can learn to code! People from all walks of life have learned coding, whether it’s for their current job, a job they want in the future, or just to have a new skill under their belt. The best part is that there are tons of ways you can learn to code, whether it’s through videos online or taking classes at a coding school, you’re bound to find a way that works for you.

2. It Takes Practice

Even though coding isn’t impossible and can be learned by anyone, it doesn’t mean that it will always be easy. When you first start to learn how to code you could run into moments where you want to pull your hair out in frustration. Just remember to relax, and don’t be too hard on yourself. There are topics which you’ll have to go over time and time again just to understand, and it might be weeks before you learn how to create something you can show off to the world.

Like any skill, coding takes practice to perfect, and even when you think you’ve perfected it there’s something new just over the horizon that you’ll have to learn.

Coding is Fun

The most important thing you need to know about coding is that it’s fun to do! You may think it’s only fun for people who love computers, but coding can be applied to so many hobbies, projects, and careers.

Here are some of the things you can do once you learn how to code

Create fun web sites
Program robots and other machines
Develop mobile apps
Make video games
Design virtual reality systems
Work for hospitals and healthcare companies

These are just a few of the areas you can apply your coding knowledge to, and as technology becomes more important there will be more uses for coding in the future. This is good news for kids who can already code by the time they start deciding on their future. But if you’re still not convinced, here are some more reasons.

Why Patience is a Must Have Skill for Programmers

Why Patience is a Must Have Skill for Programmers

There was a time when if you wanted to watch a movie, you had to go to the video store and rent it; if they were all out of tapes, you didn’t get to watch it. You’d have to wait, days, sometimes weeks just to see that movie – which begs the question…

Could you survive?

Luckily, we live in an age where if we want to see a movie, we just download it or stream it off any number of streaming services. The move toward convenience and speed has reached all areas and industries, and the same progress has been demonstrated in the world of coding. Simple processes used to take copious amounts of code to carry out, but now many things are carried out through automation and can be accessed with a variety of resources online.

Despite advancements that have simplified coding, there is one thing that hasn’t changed, you still need lots of patience.

Patience is needed when you start learning to code, and when the only languages you’ve learned up to that point are human languages, the lines of seemingly unrelated characters can take time to understand. This is no different than any other hobby or skill, like playing the guitar, you have to learn the chords before you can play a song. With coding, you must understand the importance of each character in order to build upon them to create something big like a website or a video game.

Once you start learning more advanced techniques, you’ll be required to start solving problems or going deeper into the lines of code you write. Not only will you need to pay attention to detail, but you may find yourself going over the same line multiple times before you find what you need.

Patience can help you later in life, not just while you’re learning to code. The sooner you learn patience, the better off you’ll be in the future whenever you encounter a problem or situation that takes time to resolve. When you finally get a job applying your coding knowledge, whether that be in a DevOps, Video Game Design, or Systems role, you’ll find that patience is going to be required every day on the job. That’s because you’ll also need to have patience with other members of your team, and since many coding jobs involve working in a team, those with a short fuse are not going to have an easy time.

The good news is patience is contagious, and that cool, calm demeanor you demonstrate will soon rub off on other members of your team. Who knows, that attitude may even get you a promotion, in which you’ll need even more patience for dealing with employees that you manage.

As you can see, patience will always be your best friend if you befriend it early. The start of your coding journey will be challenging at first, but you can develop habits now that will help you the rest of your life, both personally and professionally.

The Top 5 Reasons Why a Remote Career is Better

The Top 5 Reasons Why a Remote Career is Better

Learning to code has an array of incredible benefits – from teaching soft skills for everyday use to cultivating a hobby that keeps you challenged and entertained. Coding trains the brain, inspires patience and opens extensive career opportunities. Regarding the latter point, understanding how to code can also clear the path toward coveted remote job possibilities as well. Why choose a career that allows you to work remotely? Read on to find out.

1. Your career doesn’t have to define your life. As much as you may love coding, a job still just becomes a job over time. Thankfully, by working from home, you can spend plenty of time pursuing hobbies and spending time with family.

2. Explore side opportunities. Not sure about sticking to one job alone? Want to start your own business? Coding is a highly qualifying skill. There are abundant fields that benefit from hiring someone who understands coding. Not only can the knowledge itself lead to jobs – such as in web development – but the skills that come along with coding can also boost your resume for other opportunities in design, marketing, business operations and more.

3. Save money on gas, food and other reoccurring expenses. Commuting takes a toll on your day, car and wallet. You aren’t paid for the time spent getting ready, driving and pumping gas. Working remotely allows you to make the most of each paycheck.

4. Create a flexible schedule – and a flexible workplace environment. When you work remotely, you are in charge of your schedule. Yes, this means you need to have great time management skills – but, as a coder, you are probably already proficient at setting aside time to work and study. Additionally, working from home means getting to wear whatever you want – which is pretty cool, right?

Have you ever considered the possibility of having a full-time career while living the way you want to live – with more time, money and a flexible schedule? That’s one of the many benefits of learning how to code: You immediately qualify yourself for great work-from-home opportunities that pay well and offer you the ability to create your own lifestyle while working a job you love.

5 Time Management Tips to Help You Study Efficiently

As you get older, you start to realize that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and for many students that weakness is studying. Not every student is born with studying super powers, but every student can learn how to study efficiently. With a little practice and use of these time management tips, you can start having more efficient study sessions.

Set a Goal Beforehand

What are your strengths? Which class just doesn’t make sense? Take some time to figure out what you should be studying, or which topics you need more help with than others. Now’s the time to break out that study guide your teacher handed out, assuming it’s not crumbled in a ball at the bottom of your backpack.

Hide Your Phone

You’re not allowed to have your phone out in class, what makes you think you should have it out when you’re studying? If you must use your phone for research, close out every other app except your browser, then immediately lock it when you’re done. This requires self-control, but you can take comfort in knowing that you’ll have lots of free time once you get a proper studying technique

Study Smaller Portions

It can be difficult trying to study multiple chapters all at once, you’re better off dividing the material into sections. If you have a study guide, divide up the unit into smaller sections, giving yourself 10-20 minutes for each section. This especially helps if you are unfamiliar with the material and need a general summary of the topics for a test the next day.

Take Effective Breaks

Staring at the paragraphs of small text in your history book can take a toll on your eyes, and sometimes your sanity. After you finish one of your sections (20-30 minutes), take a 5-10 minute break during which you should get moving, drink water, and take a step outside to get some fresh air. You’d be surprised how much a small effective break can keep your mind focused on the task at hand.

Schedule Everything

Get a calendar, and no, the one in your phone doesn’t count (plus, it’s hiding). Marking the days you’ll dedicate to studying a week ahead of time not only reminds you when the time comes, but also helps you make sure everything else is taken care of before you dedicate all your attention to hitting the books. You should also schedule a “reward” after a studying session, whether that be a new toy, a trip for ice cream, or even a couple hours dedicated solely to video games. Seeing your reward on the calendar will help motivate you to get your studying done.

As we stated earlier, studying is a skill that can be learned, and it can be done with just small changes to your routine. You’ll soon find that having a good studying routine can lead to better grades and even more importantly more free time to pursue new found coding hobby!

Coding: An Art or a Science?

Traditionally, people have been defined as leaning toward one of two mindsets, either logical or creative. In a world where every aspect of life is changing with technology, it’s no wonder that the lines between science and art are blurred – especially when it comes to coding.

On the surface, coding looks like a science. Complex arrangements of seemingly unrelated characters form lines of code that carry out a specific process. These processes help machines function, make websites operational, help design video games, and even assist in the study of the human body.

The skills required to create the code for these systems and machines are also the same that make a good scientist, including the ability to carry out research, conduct trial-and-error experiments, and interpret data. A good deal of coding also involves math, and students who are good at math can usually begin coding with relative ease.

The intersection of art and science is marked by the relevant skills needed for both fields, this is where the two share similar characteristics.

Artists research techniques, conduct trial-and-error experiments with their work, and even use a bit of math when mixing mediums, designing strategically or calculating the amount of supplies needed.

Attention to detail is a skill that’s required in coding and art. Searching for problem areas in a painting is like scanning lines of code for a misplaced character.

This example in particular tell us a lot about the similarity between art and science. All the little parts that make up the scientific or artistic process come together to form something bigger in the end. Little pieces of tile form a mosaic, several drops of chemicals cause a reaction, and lines of code form what we see on the screen.

Imagine that you’ve been painting your whole life with access to only two types of brushes. Then, one day, a package arrives at your home filled with brushes, sponges, solvents, and other supplies. Now you can apply your talent to even more projects than before. Coding languages are like that new set of supplies, giving you the ability to manufacture, design, and present almost anything you want. Basically, coding can unlock your creative potential in ways you never thought possible.

So, in a way, coding is the art of science.

That’s what makes learning to code such a valuable experience, since it gives you a new outlet to utilize your strengths. Whether you love science, or are passionate about art, coding is a skill that can take your life to new heights.

4 Soft Skills That Are Honed By Coding

Coding is more than an incredible hobby – it’s a skill that you can feel proud to learn. When mastered, coding can lead to career development opportunities in an array of fields. However, in addition to improving future job qualifications, coding also improves your personal development by helping you acquire necessary soft skills. Read on to learn 4 soft skills that are honed by coding.

Teamwork

You start developing many skills the moment you begin learning to code in a classroom environment. Working with instructors, asking questions, and taking feedback with a good attitude all require teamwork. Once you go into the workplace, you will no doubt be assigned projects that call for collaboration between other coders, outside departments, and even hired contractors.

One aspect of learning to code that’s attractive for many people is the potential to work from home, but even then, you will have to maintain contact with co-workers to ensure you’re all on the same page.

Creativity

The perception of programmers portrayed by the media is often a distorted one, usually a math wiz in a basement placed in front several monitors typing away robotically. Don’t get us wrong, there’s lots of math involved and double monitors rule but the creativity it takes to code really does go unnoticed. The reason your creativity expands when you learn to code is because you begin to possess the tools to build almost anything you want, whether you learn to build video games, virtual reality programs, robots or websites, the possibilities are endless.

Critical Thinking

Coding can involve an onslaught of information at once, especially if you’re just beginning your education. Over time, your ability to not only understand the information on the screen, but also develop solutions based off that data will improve. There are tons of resources out there for solving coding problems, but in the professional world, problems may arise that have no existing solutions. Analyzing lines of code to locate the exact location of an error, or piece that can be modified for a specific action takes critical thinking skills that can be honed over time.

You will get to a point where you can solve problems quickly, but this will take time and something else…

Patience

Learning to code is like learning to play an instrument, except where you’d drive yourself crazy trying to extend your pinky to the 7th fret, you’ll instead be tempted to smash your keyboard while attempting to change a color or font size on the screen. Coding can be frustrating at first and takes practice to understand fully – and with technology and programming languages constantly evolving, you’ll truly never fully perfect it. But, you can have the patience to learn new things, no matter how challenging they are.

The road to coding mastery is one filled with ups and downs, but the rewards that come with it will soon show on your screen and within yourself.

6 Tips to Help You Focus While Studying

It’s 11:57 at night, you have a huge test tomorrow morning, and you’ve only made it to number 6 on your 50 question exam study guide… sounds familiar right? You’re not alone, and many people struggle with studying. Either they are lucky enough to retain all the material the first time and don’t need to, or the idea of sitting quietly in front of a textbook for up to an hour seems like the most boring thing ever! School is not always fun, but simply setting aside time to study effectively can mean the difference between failing and getting phenomenal grades. In the world of coding, that – in turn – means getting your dream programming or design job. Here are 6 tips to help you become better at studying and get the grades you want.

Set a Mini Goal

Sometimes the hardest part about studying is figuring out exactly what we need to study. Without a study plan, you run the risk of jumping from topic to topic, not really understanding any of it afterwards. If you’re fortunate enough to have been given a study guide, divide up the sections into smaller sections, allowing yourself 10-20 minutes for each. In the event that you’re crunched for time, it’s better that you fully understand some topics more than others – rather than having little to no knowledge of the overall subject.

Practice Mindfulness

Think of your mind as another person inside of you; like anyone, it needs to eat to stay alive. When you are studying a topic, you’re hand feeding your mind, and it eats every new thought you have. Every time you have a distracting thought, visualize yourself putting it in a refrigerator and feed it to your mind later.

Keep it Lit

Literally, turn those lights on! Straining your eyes, along with having a damaging effect on your sight over time, gives you a headache. Once you have a headache, that’s all that’s on your mind – the ache. Studying in a well-lit room, more specifically with “white light” as opposed to “warm light,” is better for your eyes and creates a more productive and focused environment.

Listen to the Right Music

It has been shown that music increases people’s focus when performing menial, repetitive tasks, but what about studying? Scientists have found that listening to classical music helps people study longer. Beethoven not your thing? EDM is also said to help students with studying, as well as certain forms of hip hop. Music between 60 and 70 beats per minute is ideal, but any music that is not overly lyrical will work, especially when you’re studying a topic like coding.

Resist Your Phone’s Power

Put it away, simple as that. You’re going to use it, every single thought that passes through your mind can turn you into Gollum, driving you to unlock the precious and get sucked down the YouTube wormhole for hours.

Breaks

Sometimes you just need to step away, pushing your mind during crunch study sessions will only be effective for so long before you get burnt out. Try to keep your studying increments between 10-20 minutes and take a 5-10 minute break in-between. Stay hydrated, and if you have the time, take a nap, you earned it.

Studying is essential to earn a good grade, and to understand the topic. However, you must study effectively by setting the scene, putting away your phone and taking regular breaks.

How Coding Makes You Smarter

While learning to code, you’ve probably realized how complex and intricate coding can be. Coding takes patience and a lot of brain power to successfully write code. With all the work your brain is doing while coding, have you ever wondered how coding is benefiting your brain? A technical skill like coding is bound to improve your cognitive abilities. Here are some ways coding can make you smarter.

Improve your memory – When you first begin learning to code, it’ll seem like a lot of information coming at you all at once. This is normal, and with practice you’ll begin to remember each step of the coding process. Memorizing these steps will give your brain a great workout, and like with any workout, the brain will grow stronger. It’s widely known that as we age our ability to remember things declines, but luckily engaging in cognitive intensive skills such as coding can help fight back against memory loss.

Coding encourages creative thinking – Coding doesn’t just require a proficiency in math and logic, it also takes a creative mindset. Some of the most brilliant minds in technology innovation were very creative. Steve Jobs believed that creativity played a large role in developing some of the most innovative technology the world has ever seen. Jobs understood the importance of coding and programming, once stating “Everyone should know how to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think.” Intelligence isn’t defined simply as being able to retain information. Creativity is a trait of highly intelligent people, and the ability to think outside of the box when it comes to problem solving is a much-needed skill when it comes to coding. Fortunately, the more you code the more your imagination and creativity will grow.

Learn to manage multiple tasks and improve your organizational skills – Intelligent people are usually great maintaining organization. If you’ve ever looked at computer coding, you can understand how confusing and jumbled all the symbols tend to look. It’s no secret that coding can look very intimidating at first glance, and you’ll have to get comfortable interpreting what all those symbols mean. Just like a computer performs multiple tasks at once, you’ll be doing the same while coding. Making sure all the code is organized correctly while inputting new code takes great multitasking and organizational skills, and you’ll eventually become a pro at managing multiple tasks. Outside of coding, being more organized will help you think more clearly and feel less overwhelmed by the many responsibilities in your life.

At first glance coding can be difficult to comprehend. Fortunately, along with being fun to learn, coding can do a lot of good for your brain function and development. Why not learn a new skill that will not only help your career advancement, but that will benefit your brain?!

The Best Coding Languages for Video Game Development

There’s a reason why kids are drawn to video games. The artistry, sound design, and graphics make it an immersive experience where they can achieve their goals or live out impossible fantasies. But that doesn’t mean that time is spent frivolously.

Parents who see their child express a passion for gameplay can use it as an opportunity to introduce computer programming and get their child interested in the gaming industry. Learning programming languages that control the design and development of a game is an exciting, creative way to immerse young learners into the world of coding.

Learning the basics of game coding is the start of a career in video game design and development. At theCoderSchool, we help kids learn what goes into making some of their favorite games. Video game development is rooted in coding, and we’ll show your kids how it’s done using the best programming languages for their age and skill level.

What is Game Programming?

Game programming is using coding to bring a video game to life. While others are responsible for the character design, art, and sound, the video game programmers pull all of those elements together in order to tell the computer or video game console what to do.

Video game programming skills are learned with experience over time. Kids as young as six can explore coding, but that doesn’t mean you have to leap right into complex scripting languages. For young coders, it’s best to start on visual platforms like Minecraft and Roblox, or with games featuring drag n’ drop activities that help them understand fundamental concepts like variables, memory management, debugging, and if/then logic.

At theCoderSchool, we’ll start with beginner-friendly video game programming. From there, we’ll expand on functionality so kids can continue learning other popular programming languages.

Best Coding Languages for Video Game Development

Video game programming can involve many different coding languages. Whether your child is interested in online games or mobile apps, each requires a different approach to coding. Here are some of the best programming languages to consider for your budding developer:

C++

C++ is an essential open source language. Used for years by console game makers to create complex graphics for systems like Xbox and Playstation, young coders can use it to develop anything from video games to operating systems. If you’re a gamer, popular games like Angry Birds are built in C++.

C#

The majority of games using C# are developed on the Unity 3D engine, which is used for, among other things, training simulators and software created for first responders. C# is an intuitive language to learn, and because it has been around a long time, young developers have many tools and tutorials at their disposal to make it easier. If you’ve played Pokémon Go or Super Mario Run, you’ve experienced C# programming.

Swift

Mobile gaming was mainstreamed by Swift, which is used by developers creating mobile apps for Apple’s iOS. The language is often considered to be easier to learn and faster to use than other coding languages, like Python and Objective-C. Swift has also been used in software development for apps like Facebook and WhatsApp.

Java

Many coders use Java for gaming and app development, but the programming language is used in countless other ways. It’s leveraged in developing everyday websites, for Android and Microsoft/Windows applications, and for a wide range of Java games like Codewars to Minecraft.

While best reserved for a time when your young coder has a little experience under their belt, Java isn’t widely used in video game development, but many web-based games do use Java in conjunction with Flash.

Lua

Lua is a fast, fun, and efficient language to use for video game development. Used for in-game programming with Minecraft, Lua is great for modding objects in worlds to express creative details. Roblox’s game logic was entirely built with Lua, and Roblox’s Studio for game development makes it easy to organize and program your code.

Python

Among the most simple syntaxes to learn, Python continues to grow. It’s a programming language that helps coders develop problem-solving and creativity skills. It also helps improve written skills. While Python might not be highly acknowledged as a video game programming language, it does have a simple structure. Its ease of readability makes coding a slam dunk for younger kids, whether they’re learning how to build games or learn about data science structures. If you’ve played classic games like Tetris and Pac Man, you’ve played with Python.

HTML5, CSS3, and SQL

Other web programming languages are often used interchangeably for web browser-based video games. HTML5 games may be interchangeable with JavaScript. CSS3, the newest form of CSS, can be used in conjunction with HTML5. SQL has more back-end processes including trophies, achievements, save points, and other means to measure data during the game. Coders interested in video game development should get experience in all three programming languages.

Find Video Game Programming Classes Near You

Give your kid a jumpstart to a STEM career path by enrolling them in coding camps for beginners. At theCoderSchool, our child-focused learning philosophy helps young coders foster logical thinking skills and explore video game development at their own pace.

Whichever coding language you decide to pursue for video game development, theCoderSchool is here to help. Through our camps and classes, your child will learn the fundamental skills needed to build their own video games.

TheCoderSchool also provides coding classes and camps for other computer science interests to make it easy for curious, creative kids to explore computers and technology. With locations across the United States, we strive to provide new challenges so kids can push their learning to the next level.

Find a class near you and get in touch with the educators at theCoderSchool today to learn more about our virtual learning courses, in-person classes, and one-on-one private lessons.

3 Ways You Can Change the World by Learning Coding

“You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” These words were once said by legendary salesman and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar. Coding is not sales, but there is one thing that the two share in common… the idea that you can be successful while also uplifting those around you, maybe even changing the world in the process. There are many movements and lines of work that lie at the intersection coding and philanthropy.

Here are a few of the ways that you can help change the world with your coding skills.

Life-Changing Robotics

It was only a couple of years ago that bionic limbs were just the stuff of films and video games. Fast forward to our present day and we’ve come further than we ever thought possible. The implementation of 3D printing has done wonders when driven by smart software. Coding provides the basis for fluid movement and creates a prosthetic more familiar to the user than what has traditionally been available to them.

Conserving the Environment

Renewable energy continues to be a hot topic and will no doubt remain on everyone’s minds. Luckily, equipment systems and emission tracking software is making big strides toward a cleaner planet. Coding is also helping promote the survival of the earth’s diverse and fragile wildlife. Artificial intelligence and complex databases tracking animals real-time can accurately document their growth, falling numbers due to deforestation or poaching, and even the onset of life-threatening natural disasters like wildfires and red tide outbreak.

Charity Coding

Imagine coming together with a group of coders for 48 hours of researching and developing prototypes in a quest for coding greatness! Sounds a little over-the-top, but hackathons are responsible for some serious real-world solutions implemented today. Starting in the late 1990s, hackathons are aimed at developing new products or solutions to existing problems. It wasn’t long until people realized these events could do more than just drive sales. Many non-profits don’t have the money or manpower to fix their tech problems. Hackathons and other charity coding initiatives give back to these organizations that are too busy focusing on helping others.

How Else Can You Help?

Someone taught you to code, either a school, a mentor, or an instructor developed program online. You now have a gift, and you can share it with the world. Help those around you, maybe a friend who has a struggling business online, or an artist trying to create the optimal website to showcase their work. A piece of advice, or some suggestions from an expert like yourself (don’t be so modest), can bring them success. If your knowledge can improve the life of the person one screen over from you, then you’re already doing your small part to change the world.