4 1.4 Recommendations for the Future
Educators are lifelong learners, continually being asked to learn new assessment tools, unlearn certain biases and explore new ideas. 21st-century technologies have changed the landscape of education excitingly and positively. The digital divide was brought to the forefront during COVID-19 when we quickly shifted to online learning and working from home. Two notable issues are the need for more professional development and equitable ease of access for all learners. In the article Using Early Childhood Education to Bridge the Digital Divide, the author offers examples of how working towards bridging the digital divide will continue to foster social-emotional skills, cognitive skills and motor skills in those students in the early years who are still developing those skills (Daugherty et al., 2014). Although the gap may never be eliminated, we can start by providing opportunities for early childhood educators and teachers to work alongside students to practice and problem-solve.
Investing in educators to receive proper professional Development is in the best interest of stakeholders such as policymakers and administrators. Professional Development should not only include learning strategies for implementing coding but should offer hands-on, real-time experience. This formal training can be essential for facilitating coding activities and nurturing the success of early learners (Akiba, 2022). One area to consider in professional development would be the integration of coding with other subjects. We have already heard about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) (Hwang et al., 2018). Coding is an opportunity to use the subjects, build confidence and resilience, and nurture a collaborative learning environment that promotes teamwork and allows students to learn from each other (Berland & Lee, 2011).
Bridging the gap between low-income schools and technology is a complex plan. Prioritizing underserved schools that lack the resources and infrastructure and focusing on ways to raise funds and get devices and technology into schools. Coding apps like Scratch JR are one of the few that offer OER that is accessible at school. These recommendations will help to serve diverse backgrounds and underserved schools. (Daugherty et al., 2014).
Coding has come a long way, particularly in the last several years, with the advancements of AI and open educational resources. The success of students exposed to coding in the early years predominantly lands in the hands of educators in the early years. The exposure and accessibility of coding in the classroom will give these students the drive to be successful lifelong learners.