Guidelines for Introducing Learners to Computer Programming in a Developing Country

Abstract

The South African government has committed to the implementation of coding and robotics teaching in primary schools. This vision faces the challenge that 16,000 schools in the country do not have computer laboratories, and that most teachers are not trained to teach coding. To address this reality, the TANKS mobile app was developed at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa. It introduces introductory coding concepts without the need for a computer. The scope of the project has broadened since its initiation in 2017. Originally learners were introduced to the game, and each received a game pack. Currently coding kits with various additional resources are made available to schools, mostly after teachers are trained. Based on the evolvement of the project, generic guidelines for the introduction of computer programming in schools, are provided as the main contribution. These guidelines identify the tools to be used here, how to make the project financially sustainable, alternative methods to traditional teaching, as well as the role of training for this kind of coding instruction.