Apple: New Resources for Elementary School Coding

Apple has unveiled new resources for elementary school that will allow everyone to code early. Here’s all you need to know about this new initiative by Apple.

Apple is unveiling new resources for educators and elementary school students, including a new activity guide, Everyone Can Code Early Learners, which extends the coding curriculum resources from kindergarten to college. Apple’s new one-hour Inclusive App Design activity can also be tried by educators to introduce students to the world of coding and app development. Furthermore, the updates to the Schoolwork app include support for exit tickets and also allow educators to use the app on their personal devices.

“Coding and app design are essential literacies — these skills help students think critically and creatively, regardless of whether they go on to be app developers,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Education and Enterprise Marketing. “Apple now offers coding resources for learners from kindergarten to college, and challenges them to design amazing apps that are inclusive and accessible to users. Our resources and support for educators are designed to prepare students to be the innovators of tomorrow, whether they’re just getting started or ready to build their first apps.”

Instructional designers from Apple have been working alongside educators to support teaching and learning with Swift, Apple’s powerful, open-source programming language used by professional developers to build the world’s most popular apps. Apple says that via engaging and off-screen activities learners in kindergarten through third grade will discuss, discover, and play to build a foundation in core coding concepts through subjects that include science, art, music, and physical education.

“Learning the fundamentals of coding at a young age helps students listen, communicate, and think in new ways — and it improves students’ confidence,” said Leticia Batista, Ed.D., a dual-language kindergarten teacher at McKinna Elementary School in Oxnard, California. “Code brings students onto equal ground, no matter what language they speak at home, and helps build a strong community of problem solvers. I’m looking forward to introducing my students to Swift with the engaging, age-appropriate arts and movement activities in Everyone Can Code Early Learners.”

Apple is encouraging educators and their students to participate in an introductory Inclusive App Design activity during the Europe Code Week, (October 9-24), and through Computer Science Education Week, (December 6-12). In addition to that, Apple says that the new enhancements to the Schoolwork setup experience give teachers the ability to create Schoolwork accounts for students with little to no IT involvement.

Everyone Can Code Early Learners is available today as a free download for families and educators on apple.com.