Magazine 2017

There is a new language that we are teaching at Parklands College - it is called Coding! This is the literacy of the future. In learning to code we learn how to solve problems and work together in creative ways. At Parklands College we believe that every learner should have an opportunity to learn to code. In the world of apps that we live in, coding combines a myriad of different skills to produce an app that needs to be relevant, just in time and visually appealing. Digital Citizenship is key to responsible technology use and our grade 7s learn about appropriate use of technology in their Computer Design course. Every year we participate in the Talent Search where learners are challenged to think logically and solve problems. This year more than 200 learners received bronze, silver or gold certificates. Many of these learners also excel in the annual Computer Programming Olympiad where they demonstrate their coding skills in a variety of programming languages. In Grades 8 and 9, learners have used their iPadsto write real world programming commands using Swift Playgrounds for iPad. Apple launched Swift Playgrounds in September 2016 and Parklands College was mentioned in the WWDC Keynote as one of the Apple Schools to pilot teaching Coding on iPad using Swift Playgrounds. Playgrounds’ alien character, Byte, is presented with a number of challenges that learners need to use code to solve using simple programming loops and conditionalstatements. ThisoffersagreatintroductiontoCoding where some learners will progress to write their own apps and publish them on the app store. An app is not just about functionality, but needs to look good. In Computer Design learners use Adobe Photoshop to carefully craft amazing masterpieces that showcase their technical abilities and design thinking. In Grade 8 learners took their Photoshop skills to the next level designing Alice in Wonderland posters as well as superhero fidget spinners. Grade 9s have been creating geometric artworks of their favourite animals. 137 www.parklands.co.za