Computer coding is becoming an increasingly popular class for middle and high schools to offer. To date, 41 states have adopted K-12 computer science policies and, according to a 2023 report by Code.org, over 57% of public high schools in the U.S. offer foundational computer science. Middle schools are increasingly providing coding and computer science courses, too. 

The growing interest in teaching coding and computer science in school is no surprise given the widespread use of computers in so many aspects of our daily lives. The vast majority of jobs today – 92% according to a recent analysis – require digital skills. And individuals with strong computing or coding skills have stronger earning power.

“Coding is where the high-paying jobs are,” explains Linda Weiner, a teacher at Cutler Bay Middle School in Cutler Bay, Florida.

Each month in Florida, 20,643 computing jobs are open, with an average salary of $99,573, according to Code.org. Computer skills have become so important that the state provides funding to schools for every student who passes the Python Coding Apprentice exam, a test that validates skills in one of the most popular coding languages used by businesses around the world.

Yet the vast majority of middle and high school teachers don’t have a background in computer science or coding. So, they need a ready-made curriculum that makes it easy to teach coding and practice the skills with real-world coding projects.

“EasyCode is one of the best programs to introduce students to programming and Python, because it’s all-in-one and very easy to use,” says Sean Dennett, a teacher at Murray Middle School in Stuart, Florida.

An interactive, web-based curriculum, EasyCode Pillars helps students learn coding principles by introducing them to the Python coding language. In each lesson, students complete a project through a series of activities that include coding challenges, debugging practice and quizzes. 

“It’s very hard to find a curriculum that teaches students to actually type in the real computer language,” says Alberto Sweeney, a teacher at Bair Middle School in Sunrise, Florida. “EasyCode is so thorough; it does not leave anything out.”

The EasyCode curriculum prepares students to take the Python Coding Apprentice and IT Specialist Certifications. Weiner, Dennett and Sweeney all have their middle school students prepare for the exams, with many of them passing each year.

“Because my students are learning to code, their mindset and outlook has changed,” says Weiner. “They know they can do more with their future.”

Read more about how Florida middle school teachers are using EasyCode.

In order to ensure all students are equipped with digital skills to succeed in the classroom, college and careers, the district expanded access to Learning.com’s EasyTech for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. As director of professional development and teacher support, Adele Thomas ensured teachers had both live and asynchronous professional development opportunities to leverage the breadth and flexibility of EasyTech in their own classrooms and in alignment with their core subjects.

“We navigate between and amongst so many digital platforms, and Learning.com is so simple.”

—Tricia Cordura, 6th grade teacher, Fontana Unified

Read the Case Study

Further Reading

Student usage of EasyTech continues growing year over year in TPS, which is the largest district in Oklahoma. In fact, district leaders are currently piloting EasyTech’s coding modules in elementary and middle school as part of a computer science curriculum they are designing to meet the state’s new computer science standards.

“We discovered that Learning.com met our need for online citizenship lessons, but also provided a foundation in the soft skills students need to be successful in college, career and life.”

–Vicki Ruzicka, manager of library services, Tulsa Public Schools

Download the case study

Further Reading

Tech Quest is a recently added feature to Learning.com’s EasyTech K-12 digital literacy curriculum. With one-click implementation, Tech Quest automatically assigns students auto-scored, student-led, self-paced, grade-level curriculum. Students choose an avatar, click on the first step and continue along their pathway, unlocking interactive lessons and videos that teach essential technology skills — without teachers needing to manage the classes or choose lessons.

Critically, the online safety content within Tech Quest meets the requirements of eRate certification. Plus, Tech Quest allows students access to ongoing keyboarding practice to develop fluency and automaticity. 

“Tech Quest makes it easier than ever for teachers to ensure all students can easily navigate their devices – safely, efficiently and with future-ready skills that are now essential in every content area,” said Keith Oelrich, CEO of Learning.com. “We know that overstretched teachers and technology coordinators love Tech Quest, but Learning.com is delighted that EdTech Awards judges also recognize its value and innovation.”

The EdTech Awards is the world’s largest recognition program for education technology, recognizing exceptional contributions in transforming education through technology to enrich the lives of learners. This year’s finalists and winners were narrowed from the larger field and judged based on various criteria, including: pedagogical workability, efficacy and results, support, clarity, value and potential. 

“As events unfold on the world stage that seem to inch ever closer to a precipice unknown, we are reminded that the leaders and innovators of education technology have always worked on the edge,” said Victor Rivero, who as Editor-in-Chief of EdTech Digest, oversees the awards program. “To the innovators, leaders, and trendsetters in K-12, higher education, and workforce learning who continue connecting, producing and persisting despite all challenges—a hearty hat-tip and a grand salute!”

About Learning.com

Learning.com is dedicated to preparing students for success in our digital world. Founded in 1999, the company currently partners with 10 percent of U.S. school districts and serves more than 1 million students each year. Learning.com has earned more than 30 industry awards, including 2021, 2020 and 2017 Award of Excellence from “Tech & Learning;” ISTE 2017 Best of Show; “The Oregonian’s Top Workplace” for 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017 and 2016; and the “Healthiest Employers of Oregon” for 2021, 2020 and 2019. 

Learning.com’s K-12 curriculum solution for digital literacy, EasyTech, helps students develop computer science, digital literacy and problem-solving skills. Learning.com’s EasyCode curriculum is a comprehensive coding solution for K-12 that develops students’ coding, computational thinking and computer science prowess. EasyTech and EasyCode, both delivered through the Learning.com platform, feature scaffolded, student-led digital lessons, as well as district and school-wide reporting to measure programs efficacy and optimize implementation. By enabling schools to integrate technology more meaningfully, and cultivate digital readiness, Learning.com’s comprehensive curriculum plays a critical role in equipping all students to learn, live, and work in the 21st Century.  

# # #

Further Reading

Take a listen to this episode of On Balance ….

Listen Now

Further Reading

CIPA compliance on the curriculum requirements. EasyTech content covers topics such as:

• Communicating effectively in online learning environments
• Recognizing and responding appropriately to cyberbullying
• Understanding online privacy concerns — whether that’s setting up strong passwords or knowing what information should never be shared over the internet 

All content is available in age-appropriate grade-level bands, with interactive, self-paced online lessons, teacher-led discussions, and application exercises.

And with our new, gamified learning pathway called Tech Quest, CIPA compliant content is pre-loaded, making it easier than ever for districts and schools to ensure students are starting the year with these essential skills.

For schools that need to demonstrate CIPA compliance in order to qualify for E-Rate discounts (a federally sponsored program to help schools and libraries pay for internet service), Learning.com provides specialized CIPA reporting tools that make it easy for administrators to confirm that students are mastering the required content.

EasyTech makes it easy to teach students the foundational skills to stay safe on the internet, and helps districts achieve CIPA compliance in the process.

Click to download CIPA Compliance and E-Rate Information Sheet

Further Reading

After weeks or months of online-only learning, students, teachers, administrators and parents have returned to classrooms with greater access to devices and internet connection, as well as new digital skills. In that sense, the disruption in the classroom that we imagined when contemplating this white paper — the disruption that would require meaningful tech integration — has already happened. Technology was forcefully and somewhat chaotically integrated into every classroom, ready or not, in 2020.

Rather than make “In Pursuit of Disruptive Tech Integration for Meaningful Learning” obsolete, the pandemic made it even more urgent and important. With the immediate crisis now behind us, educators must assess how to thoughtfully and meaningfully integrate technology into their classrooms, creating a new normal. This prescient white paper is your guide for these times.

Further Reading

Click to download the PDF

Further Reading