The Link Between Learning Coding and Math
Do you have a kid interested in coding but they’re not very strong in math? Have you heard your kid say “I’m not very good at math”? The good news is they don’t need to be a math genius to start learning how to code. Many recent studies have shown that in fact, coding can help children build math skills and make learning math more engaging and fun.
Coding is how we communicate with computers, and what we use to build and run websites, apps, games, and more. With many school districts pushing to include STEM in their curriculum, there has been substantial interest in teaching coding throughout the K-12 curriculum as there are numerous educational benefits. But the starting point for this is in K-6
David Dodge from CodaKid, a leading figure in childhood coding education says, “Computer science builds skills in a number of corollary areas including math, science, problem-solving, teamwork, project-based learning, creative arts, and more.” He also attributes learning basic coding principles to an increased logical cognition in early-age students.
Coding brings math to life. It can take abstract math concepts and create something that’s a living online entity. The benefit is that by building confidence, kids are in a better position to improve their results in a traditional math class.
One of the many challenges a math teacher faces is finding ways to bring real-life examples to the math class that students genuinely find interesting. Coding is the perfect vehicle to teach math concepts through learning how to code.
The benefit of STEM programs in every grade is being able to connect subjects of study with real-life, providing today’s students with the skill-set they’ll need to succeed in the 21st century. By connecting math to something real where the result can be seen almost instantly, kids are building a foundation in a lifelong interest in learning.
It’s no secret that kids are innately interested in technology and exposure to coding has become an important part of how students enter the world of computer science.
A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that 77% of children ages 8 to 12 are inspired by technology and would like a career in it, and 45% of children said they wanted a better technology education to ensure they have the skills to enter a career in the technology field.
STEM BUILDS SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE
Unfortunately, many kids are dissuaded from learning how to code because they are not confident in their math skills. It is now understood that math proficiency doesn’t supersede a kid’s ability to learn to code. In fact, learning how to code has a significant positive impact on becoming more comfortable with math.
Because coding is applied to math and logic, it can easily help improve math skills. This use of logical reasoning can help in many different areas of math, especially geometry, which relies on many of the statements used in coding.
With an eye to the future, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has stated that by 2025, 3.5 million STEM jobs will go unfilled. And 71% of all new jobs in STEM are in computing, but only 8% of STEM graduates are in Computer Science. Even now, people are still wondering if coding is hard to learn.
This is in large part why XtraMath created its new program call XtraSTEM. We have created math-focused STEM activities that will engage kids in technology and math.
Our XtraSTEM program has activities that easily integrate at home or in the classroom and will help ensure that students have access to the kind of deep, rich learning that leads to the development of foundational knowledge and skills of mathematics and science, including the development of reasoning and creative thinking.
For more information, please contact us at sales@xtramath.org and we will give you all the details to get started.
