(GREAT FALLS) Whether you are a graphic designer or a video game programmer, chances are you know how to code.
Great Falls Public Schools computer science teacher, Stacy Dolderer, is teaching students just that.
“It’s different every single day, every year. I get to modify my curriculum to what’s happening in technology currently,” Dolderer said.
With cell phones, tablets and computers at the tips of our fingers, Dolderer says she’s embracing those generational habits and using them in her curriculum.
“Having that thing in their hand that they can actually see the results on right now is pretty powerful,” Dolderer said.
But she continues to teach the old-fashioned way, putting pen to paper and even using a deck of cards for a hands-on experiment.
“A lot of the programming is understanding how algorithm is just a step by step process,” Dolderer said.
C.M. Russell High School senior Chris Belcher says it’s an important skill to learn.
“It’s a language that I understand really well. I’ve always been super into math and that kind of stuff, so I work better with numbers,” Belcher said. “All the problems that we have sometimes day to day trying to get our computer screens to work if it dies, it’s a good thing to have a basic understanding so you’re able to fix problems.”
Belcher says the plan is to take computer science and further it into a career.
“I’m going to major in computer science and I’m hoping to be able to do character design and 3D modeling,” Belcher said.
“My expectation is not that they leave our schools and go straight into the industry. I kind of want them to have a big view of what computer science opportunities are out there,” Dolderer said.
GFPS has a club called Cyber Patriot for those students looking to learn more about coding in both high school and middle school.
“We’re really trying to create a pathway all the way through K12 with computer science. We’re trying to meet the needs of our community,” Dolderer said.
