At this point, you probably know that coding has become a crucial skill for people in all kinds of careers, not just in tech. The need for coding as a skill will continue to rise as the world increases its utilization of technology, and getting your child started with coding education early will open endless doors for them. Learning coding early can also have psychological benefits: a 2019 study showed increased executive functioning skills for students exposed to coding education in the primary grades. Career and cognitive benefits aside, coding can be incredibly fun for kids! Why just play a video game or use a digital tool when you can make it yourself?
Now that you are aware of the benefits of coding, you may be wondering… where is the best place for my child to learn coding? Should my child take a coding class online or in-person? Below, we will explore the options and the pros and cons of each, helping you find the best fit for your child.
What are online coding classes?
Online coding classes have become increasingly popular, with flexible and varied options for kids and their families. These classes include live and self-paced virtual programs in which kids learn the basics of coding and participate in interactive, engaging opportunities to apply and develop their new skills. This can include lessons, tutorials, games, and even interactive message boards and communities. Some programs, like CodeMonkey, give students the opportunity to learn real-life coding languages like Python and Coffeescript in a game-based environment. There are many high-quality online coding classes for kids, which you can explore to find the best fit for your kid!
What are the benefits of online coding classes?
Flexibility
It’s no secret that online learning is inherently more flexible than traditional, in-person learning. Online coding classes allow your child to learn from the comfort of their home. They are often self-paced, which allows students to fit coding into their already busy schedules and to move at a speed that works for them! These can also save the whole family time, eliminating the need for transportation to and from sessions. Plus, with the wide range of platforms and class styles available, you can find an option that matches your child’s interests: whether they are into games, storytelling, or building real-world tech skills. This flexibility also means your kids can revisit lessons as many times as they need, helping them build confidence and mastery at their own pace.
Cost
Online programs often cost less than in-person programs, due to elements like more flexible payment options (like subscriptions or payment plans) and the lack of need for a physical space. This is a key benefit for many families, especially when your child is trying out something new and you aren’t sure if you want to invest a lot of money in it yet! You can also look for free options for coding classes. Hour of Code, organized by Code.Org, is a global initiative in which over 400 education partners offer free opportunities to learn coding basics. This can be a great place to start before paying for coding education.
Variety and Personalization
Without the limitations of geographic proximity, you can help your child choose a coding class that meets their personal needs and interests more closely than those in their physical proximity. Online, there are endless options: programs that vary in terms of their approach to teaching coding, areas of focus, etc. Online programs leverage the benefits of technology to aid learning: this can allow for in-the-moment adaptation and personalization. Interactive platforms keep students engaged and motivated, with visual and gamified elements. Students also have the freedom to learn at their own pace: rewatching tutorials, repeating activities, or moving more quickly if they feel ready.
Quality
Online programs invite a variety of teachers: opening the doors to instructors with more or different kinds of experience! While in-person classes are limited to the local talent pool, online classes can be taught by more veteran instructors, university professors, and even engineers at tech companies. This broader access can expose your child to different teaching styles, perspectives, and real-world insights that might not be available locally. It also means you have a better chance of finding an instructor who really clicks with your child’s personality and learning needs, which can make the experience more engaging and effective.
Community
Many online coding classes include digital communities that allow students to collaborate, ask questions, and connect with other students and teachers in real-time. This is an opportunity for your child to connect with a wider range of people than the ones in their geographic vicinity, who they may share interests with. They can continue this communication long after the class ends, allowing them to continue to explore coding outside of official “class” time.
What are in-person coding classes?
In-person coding classes are a pathway to learning innovative coding skills in a more traditional environment. They are often offered as after-school clubs, local coding centers, kids’ programs at a university, or summer camps. In-person coding classes can mix hands-on and social experiences with the online, digital nature of traditional coding. Programs like CodeNinjas and the CoderSchool offer nationwide in-person classes. You can also search for other in-person opportunities near you.
What are the benefits of in-person coding classes?
Hands-on Opportunities
While coding is an inherently online, tech-based experience, there are many ways to learn the foundations of coding that do not involve being on a device. This can include things like sequencing games and storytelling, physical building, robotics, and coding on paper. Check out this offline coding activity as an example. These offer students a way to make connections between coding concepts and the world around them, and can offer a break from their often already screen-filled lives. This mix of hands-on experiences with tech is beneficial for many students.
Less Distractions
How many times have you found yourself working or completing a specific task on your computer or phone, only to find yourself deep into another app or website? For most of us, the answer is daily. Kids struggle with the same thing, often to a larger extent, while they are learning to self-regulate and stay on task while using technology. In-person coding classes eliminate the temptation to get lost in other programs on a device, since kids are held accountable by teachers and by their peers.
In-Person Connections
While online classes can offer online communities and connections for students, it is undeniable that in-person connections have many of their own advantages. In terms of learning, students are able to get immediate, hands-on feedback from instructors in the in-person setting. This can result in more personalized help and deeper learning. Students in in-person classes also get to meet and interact with peers in person, which helps them build offline relationships that foster collaboration and learning. They can work together on coding projects, building teamwork skills that will serve them for years to come.
Extra Resources
If your child doesn’t have access to their own device or reliable internet at home, resources like this are often included and provided at an in-person coding class. Additionally, these classes may offer more, and better resources than the ones students have access to at home. These can include state-of-the art computers and tablets, more efficient internet connections, and robotics and building opportunities.
A More Traditional Learning Environment
Coding is considered a language and skill of the future, so learning at home on a computer can feel like the most rational choice. However, there are numerous advantages to a more traditional learning environment. First off, the mere change of environment from being at home can help students shift into a different, more focused mindset that is ideal for learning. Being around peers who are interested in and learning about the same thing can be motivating for many students. Additionally, the structure and accountability of a classroom keep kids on track and focused.
Which is better: Online or In-Person Coding Classes?
While we wish we had an easy answer to this, there are many things to consider about your child and your family when deciding between in-person or online coding classes. Both have their own benefits and drawbacks, and only you and your child know what will best meet their needs! Rest assured, however, that both are amazing learning options. You can always try out one modality, and then another, if you still find yourself unsure.
Desired Outcomes
When making the decision about in-person or online coding classes, you’ll first want to consider your child’s goals (and your goals for them)!
Is your child interested in exploring coding just for fun? An in-person class may be a good option, since it emphasizes relationship-building and hands-on exploration.
Does your child have a specific school or career-based goal they are working toward? An online class could be a good option here, as it allows for more personalization and specificity. It will also set your student up for more learning in the future.
Is your child hoping to continue coding after the length of the class? An online class allows students to begin learning that can be continued on the same program after the initial class concludes, via formal classes or self-guided learning. Many in-person classes do not have follow-up classes or options.
Is your child interested in making connections with new friends? An in-person class allows for more organic friendships to occur. However, an online class allows kids to connect with a more diverse group of learners outside of their geographic location.
Does your child have a lot of social obligations and activities already? If they are looking to do something new in their alone time, an online class may be a better option.
Your Child’s Personality and Learning Style
Your child’s personality and learning style will help determine whether online or in-person coding classes will be more beneficial for them. For example, if your child likes being around other kids and making friends in person or struggles to stay on-task when using technology at home, an in-person class might be best for them. If your child prefers to learn and spend time alone, or is able to self-guide their learning, online classes might be best for them. Students who prefer to learn by doing may enjoy the “jump-right-in” nature of online coding classes, and students who like to use their hands to build and explore may have more fun and success in an in-person class.
You’ll also want to consider your child’s needs and what kind of learning environment helps them feel the most confident. If your child thrives when they can explore ideas at their own pace without the pressure of peers or an instructor in the classroom setting– an online class gives them more of that freedom. If your child feels more energized and motivated when they are part of a group, they may learn better in an in-person class where they are able to share ideas with others and get real-time encouragement from teachers and peers. Think about how your child handles challenges, too: do they like to tinker quietly and figure things out on their own, or do they need support from a teacher or peer to help them through frustration? The right setting will make a big difference about whether your child stays excited about learning to code.
Your Family’s Schedule, Budget, and Location
Think carefully about your family’s current time and financial priorities, along with your unique location, when choosing a coding class. If you live in or close to a larger metropolitan area, there are likely many high-quality in-person classes to choose from. If you live in a more rural area, there are likely less high-quality options close by, or you may have a longer commute to find classes. If your family’s schedule is packed at the moment, you may find more joy and less stress in selecting an online class. The same goes for families who are prioritizing saving money– you’ll find a wider range of prices online than in person.
Another thing to consider is how involved you want, or are able, to be in your child’s learning experience. Online classes can require more parental support– especially for younger students. Kids may need help logging in, staying focused, or troubleshooting tech issues. On the other hand, in-person classes have an instructor who is ready to support those things, typically giving parents a break during the class time. If you enjoy being a part of your child’s learning and have time to sit alongside them, an online class could turn into a fun bonding activity.
Hopefully, you now have some direction about how to select a coding class modality for your child. Remember, there is no wrong answer– both are immensely beneficial and fun, and give your child an opportunity to learn the valuable skill of coding.
