Hour of Code

The Hour of Code began as a one-hour coding challenge to give students a fun-filled introduction to computer science and has become a global learning, celebration, and awareness event. It takes place every year during Computer Science Education Week, the first week in December (4th to 10th). With such a huge groundswell of support and attention, it’s an ideal time for schools and districts to put the spotlight on computer science programs and expand opportunities. The Hour of Code is at its core not about learning a brand new skill in just one hour. One hour isn’t enough to learn how to code. It’s about increasing access to computer science by breaking stereotypes and opening doors. Somebody may learn programming concepts like loops, conditionals, or basic debugging through the Hour of Code. But a much more important goal is for students and teachers to learn that computer science is fun.

As a part of social outreach programme, KCG College of Technology had organized the Hour of Code in 11 schools around in Chennai. A team of 9 Faculty from CSE and IT departments along with 15 student volunteers from various departments conducted the programme from Dec 4th to 10th. Around 299 students from 11 schools (13 batches) participated in the programme. They practiced Blockly and Minecraft in one hour.

Programme Objectives:

• Introduce school children to computer science in an interesting way.

• Helps to improve the computational thinking skills in an approachable way.

• Students will identify the pros and cons of self-directed learning as it relates to learning code.

Participants:

A set of 15-30 studentsof grade 7 and above participated in a session.
Schedule:

List of student volunteers:

Feedback from School:

The overall feedback for the programme was very positive. Students enjoyed doing coding in one hour. Some of the feedbacks from schools were video recorded. Sample feedbacks are given below.
Students:Don Bosco Excellence

Volunteers Feedback

The volunteers of Hour of Code shared their experiences and what they have learned is compiled and given below

Dorai Thodla, Our mentor
1. Realized that kids do not need to be taught to build things and solve problems. I saw the difference between the performance of students who were assisted by teachers and who were not. Most of the time students who were allowed to explore on their own (and with their friends) did much better.
‎2. Working in groups is one of the best ways to explore and learn. In almost all the 4 schools I went to, I saw this happen.
‎3. If you give interesting, creative challenges, you can keep even very restless kids engaged.
Soumya S, Assistant professor,CSE
‎1. College students should be given a platform to get involved in such activities. It is a proud moment for the teachers to see our students gain respect. I realized that we need to teach more outside the classroom so that they come back and learn in the classroom.
2. “A person who feels appreciated will always do better than what is expected” ‎This quote worked at many places, for our students, teachers and school kids. 
Arunkumar, II year, ECE
‎I understood that I can do more than what I thought.I usually don’t speak much to strangers but through this I learned how to mingle with everyone, even strangers.I got many new friends, met new faculties and had an awesome experience with them.I am very much interested to do such activities in future. And I also realized kids now are more brilliant than us so we have to learn more than now.
Daniel,II year student,EEE
I have not guided anyone on anything,but I did it through Hoc. This is my first team work for a week and it was a great experience! I gained people from other departments including teachers. I am very proud to be a HOC’ian.
Smriti, III year, CSE
1. one thing about which I was very interested before going to first school was – how I am going to handle kids, how will I answer their smart questions quickly…I wanted to try myself… because this is something I think we are doing for the first time… pretty amazing
2. All the students were competitive; they made me to understand that there’s a long way to go. Confidence was amazing, probably something at times even we lack. I am a more confident person now.
3. it’s nice to hear- “mam”
Krithika,Assistant professor, IT
1. This takes me to my school memories,where they teach me these types of activities.(my generation missed it)
2. This was an awesome experience where i learnt a lot from our students. Throughout they were very energetic. Their leadership qualities are excellent,the way how they answer,how they treat each kid is something to be appreciated.
Jonadab Theodore,II year,ECE
Going back to my old school to volunteer was the best thing ever. My old teachers were more than ecstatic.   Furthermore I met such brilliant kids,who were casually completing their works and having fun too.  And whenever I had a conversation with them about coding or computers, their knowledge about general computer science is enormous.And most of all people actually thought I was an actual professor for my height and I felt accomplished more than anything. I still have goosebumps when I see the kids having fun while working on the hour. All in all a brilliant experience and itwas an  honor to be a part of the HOC team.
Adline,Assistant professor,IT
HOC has given me great lessons. 1. Mingling in the society2. How to Organize an event outside the campus 3. The Dedication of our volunteers was commendable. The children  were also amazing as they all started to explore the tools in their own way.We have to keep ourselves updated as these children are brilliant.
Sivagami, II year, AERO
Hoc event gave me
1.  Confidence to open up to the young minds
2. Taught me to tackle and think laterally, and use my logics
3. Participate in an event outside campus n to extend my limits to reach
4. Wonderful vacation n memories for lyf tym

Riya paul,III year,CSE
 Felt really proud of making students learn that computer science is fun and creative.And myself felt proud to be a computer science student. As I had aim of becoming a teacher, thanks to hoc for giving me a chance to teach kids. It taught me that how much a teacher must prepare before taking class. Coming generation is really smart. This could be seen by the questions they asked which made us to think for the answer .This took me to school memories where I wish even I got to participate in hoc. I just wish these brilliant kids are given the right guidance and right direction to shine in their life.
Minju, Assistant Professor CSE
Current and upcoming generations are really smart that we Teachers should update our knowledge frequently. As HOC said every child deserves to learn Computer Science.hoc experience gives me an insight that we can teach students those who are not good in programming through GUI games like Blockly.Also, participation is very important. I am very happy that I worked with students not only from cse.We must get opportunities like this than classroom learning.
Aishwarya, II year CSE
I love teaching especially teaching kids but never ever had such an experience.I Learnned how difficult it is to gain the attention of all the students. My shyness flew off, and I learnned leadership qualities. As a computer science student I’m happy that we spread the knowledge of computer science to kids.  If these activities had been there when I was in school, I would have taken and studied CSE with even more interest. I think this can be called object oriented learning. Thank u to all who gave me this wonderful opportunity. Proud to be a part of this event.
Anju, Assistant professor, IT
This is my first outside campus activity. I Learned alot by interacting with new people.The Kids are extraordinary, what we are learning today, they already knew. Some of them without teachers help started exploring themselves. Great experience. I am very proud being a part of HoC.
Dr. Poonkavithai, Associate Professor,CSE
I strongly believe that we can learn from anybody. Hoc has given me an opportunity to learn from students outside CSE Dept. First and foremost we have to be a kcgian.Lesson1: Belongingness is important
I discovered that sometimes we should let go ourselves. Myself and Anju were frustrated that every school rejected us. And I was not physically fit also. We just decided to keep talking to the PA in spite of her saying principal is busy. Second Lesson learned:” Speak your heart. “
Lesson 3: Studentsthriveanywhere.Doesn’t need only international standards… Its dependent on person alone
Minu Thomas, Assistant Professor CSE
Hoc has proven that learning experiences involve no age limit and it guided us towards engagement in contents and helped us learn new skills.  It took most of us back to our school memories and that helped us to volunteer in the same level of innocence. Also learned that teamwork will bring out the best skills of an individual in any circumstances.