Hour of Code!: Information & FAQs

The Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer programming, designed to demystify code and show that anyone can learn. Your Hour of Code can take place any time during CS Ed Week!

• There will be 1 million more computing jobs than students over the next 10 years (adding up to $500 billion in salaries)
• More than 50 percent of all projected math and science occupations are in computing occupations.
• Computing occupations are among the highest-paying jobs for new graduates. Yet fewer than 3% of college students graduate with a degree in computer science.
• In 36 states, computer science classes don’t count toward math or science high school graduation requirements.
• A.P. Computer Science is taught in only 5% of U.S. high schools
• Fewer than 20 percent of AP Computer Science students are women. Fewer than 10% are Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino.
• In 2014,mMore girls tried computer science than in the last 70 years.

Quick Tips for Educators:

Prep for the Hour of Code:

Choose a tutorial for your students

• Check out the tutorials and pick one for your class. Note: more international/multilingual support is on its way.
• Go through the tutorial yourself so you can help students during the Hour of Code.
• Test tutorials on student computers or devices. Make sure they work properly (with sound and video).
• Preview the congrats page to see what students will see when they finish.
• If the tutorial you choose works best with sound, provide headphones for your class, or ask students to bring their own.

• All tutorials will share these factors in common:

  • Self-guided lessons require little or no involvement from the teacher.
  • Requires no previous experience on behalf of the student or the teacher.
  • Can be completed in one hour or less.

Plan ahead based on your technology available

• Don't have enough devices? Use pair programming. When students partner up, they help each other and rely less on the teacher. They’ll also see that computer science is social and collaborative.
• Have low bandwidth? Plan to show videos at the front of the class, so each student isn't downloading their own videos.

During Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 7-11)

Inspire your students - show them a video

We'll have an Hour of Code video by CSEdWeek. For now, check out these videos, featuring Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Black Eyed Peas founder will.i.am and NBA star Chris Bosh talking about the importance of programming. (There are 1 minute, 5 minute, and 9 minute versions)

Get your students excited - give them a short intro

Most kids don’t know what computer science is. Here are some ideas:

• Explain it in a simple way that includes examples of applications that both boys and girls will care about (saving lives, helping people, connecting people, etc.).
• Try: "Think about things in your everyday life that use computer science: a cell phone, a microwave, a computer, a traffic light… all of these things needed a computer scientist to help build them.”
• Or: “Computer science is the art of blending human ideas and digital tools to increase our power. Computer scientists work in so many different areas: writing apps for phones, curing diseases, creating animated movies, working on social media, building robots that explore other planets and so much more."

Start your Hour of Code

Direct students to the activity

• Write the tutorial link on a whiteboard to direct students to the your selected Hour of Code tutorial.
• Tell students to visit the URL and start the tutorial.

When your students come across difficulties

• Tell students, “Ask 3 then me.” Ask 3 classmates, and if they don’t have the answer, then ask the teacher.
• Encourage students and offer positive reinforcement: “You’re doing great, so keep trying.”
• It’s okay to respond to respond: “I don’t know. Let’s figure this out together.” If you can’t figure out a problem, use it as a good learning lesson for the class: “Technology doesn’t always work out the way we want. Together, we’re a community of learners.” And: “Learning to program is like learning a new language; you won’t be fluent right away.“
• Check the Hour of Code forum to ask questions and see FAQs.

What to do if a student finishes early?

• Students can see all tutorials and try another Hour of Code activity.
• Or, ask students who finish early to help classmates who having trouble with the activity.