Coding Unplugged-A Guide to Introducing Coding and Robotics to South African Schools

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to serve as a practical guide to assist South African teachers in introducing coding and robotics to their learners. The main challenges that are faced are the lack of resources (computer laboratories) as well as trained teachers. The paper investigates the importance of introducing learners not only to coding, but also to computational thinking. As a way to empower teachers resources that could assist in this process are discussed. Furthermore, actual activities and exercises are introduced. The coding app TANKS is introduced as a powerful unplugged tool to introduce coding and computational thinking without the need for computers.