Week 9: Coding
So far in the Student Blogging Challenge, we’ve done a lot of creating and communicating with our blogs. This week, we’re looking at the more technical side of blogging and computers: coding!
I’ll be introducing you to my colleague who is an inspirational young coder and we’ll also be celebrating Computer Science Education Week (December 3-8).
Week Eight Recap
There were lots of great tasks submitted last week!
You can find them all here (or click on the week 8 box on the sidebar).
Let’s take a look at just some of the fantastic work we spotted last week:
- A number of students were inspired by Mrs. Vazquez and gave their blog a makeover. Check out some examples from Evelyn, Fraser, and Clay.
- Rhiann made a fantastic video to share a craft idea.
- Nandini from India told us about the Holi festival.
- Erica and Maggie reviewed Google’s Emoji creator.
- Keylee shared a photo that represents Christmas.
- Gabby has written an excellent piece about celebrations that includes some fun polls.
- Kai had a busy week trying 3 different tasks.
- Cassandra wrote about her favourite festivals and celebrations.
- Janae tried out a Christmas word search and wants to know if you can beat her time.
- You can view more great work on our 2018 Student Blogging Challenge Flipboard.
Survey Results
Remember last week we ran a poll to see which holidays our STUBC participants celebrate? We had 1015 responses!
Here are the most popular responses.
Other responses included birthdays, Eid, 4th of July, Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, and Vaisakhi.
Tip: I made the chart above by entering the survey data into a free online tool called BEAM. It’s handy!
Reminders
This is our penultimate (second last) topic for the 2018 Student Blogging Challenge. As some schools will be on holidays soon, I’ll publish the week 10 post early. It will be out on Thursday 6th December (Australian time). I’ll send out an email when it’s published.
Here are some additional reminders:
- The forms for weeks one to six tasks are now closed. You’re still welcome to complete these tasks at any time but won’t be able to submit them for our commenting team to visit.
- Have you moderated all of your comments? You could be missing out on some fantastic conversations and insights!
Now onto this week’s topic. Firstly, I’d like to introduce you to someone.
Meet Alex!
I invited a young coder who works for Edublogs to tell you about himself.
- Alex is a 17 year old school student in the United States.
- He became vision impaired during 9th grade and lost most of his sight within 6 months.
- Alex would LOVE you to comment on this post.
Over to Alex…
My name is Alex and I work as an accessibility developer and system administrator for Incsub which is the company behind Edublogs.
I started here at Incsub in May 2017 just days after I turned sixteen years old. I go to school in the day and work in the night. Although this job can be demanding, I always love the challenge it offers me day by day.
Alex’s role with the company
One of my main roles is to ensure all servers are running properly and respond when automation fails. Basically, I make sure we stay online.
I have helped with building infrastructure components and hosting. This means I built the parts that make our servers work to host our sites and helped with moving networks of websites to our servers.
My other working time is spent ensuring all Incsub sites (including Edublogs, CampusPress and WPMU DEV) stay completely accessible to visually impaired users who rely on screen reading technology. A screen reader reads aloud the screen for people who can’t see or have other limitations.
Alex’s blindness
Although some would see visual impairment as something you can’t live with, I assure you it’s very possible.
When I first started at Incsub I was hired to provide live chat support for WPMU DEV (a WordPress company that’s part of Incsub). That would later translate into becoming an accessibility developer. (Developer is another word for coder or programmer).
I study our company sites weekly to ensure they are accessible to everyone. The sad news is most sites are not. Just because I cannot see very much, I cannot use a lot of websites.
Now I get to work every day to ensure all sites are accessible within Incsub as everyone deserves the same opportunity for accessing the web.
How Alex learned to code
Learning to code wasn’t all that challenging. I first started learning basic HTML in the 7th grade. It just took off from there.
I found WordPress, signed up for web hosting, and started learning the ways of web development.
It wasn’t until I started to code for accessibility development here that I really learned more of the advanced coding languages. I have taught myself HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, React JS, PHP, and Shell.
Moving on from accessibility development, I ran into system administration (upkeeping and configuring servers). I started learning with a company called Linux Academy. It’s an online program that allows you to learn Linux concepts, Cloud basics, Docker, and a whole host of other subjects.
I’m still very much in the practice stages but getting better every day. It’s cool what you can do with servers and don’t let your disability stand in your way.
A coding career
It is very important to me that the younger audiences get involved with coding. Without the younger generation, the sharing of information starts to drop. We need to keep this open sharing idea around. That way, everyone can learn from each other. It is truly the sharing of information that makes everyone smarter.
Getting the young involved in technology should increase the chance of them finding a really good paying job in the future, after graduation.
Leave a comment!
What are you curious about? Do you have any other questions for Alex? He’s very happy for you to leave a comment on this post.
Below is a picture of Alex at work at a big WordCamp event last year (that’s a WordPress conference. WordPress is the software that powers 30% of the web including Edublogs and CampusPress). Alex is wearing the yellow and black hoodie.
Thanks all the people who were at the #a11y table of the #WCUS contributor day!
Especially @jdelia and Katherine White for testing Gutenberg for a full day.
And a big shoutout to Alex Stine, a 16 yr old web dev that helps with coding and testing with NVDA. pic.twitter.com/2pNT6ficIS— Rian Rietveld (@RianRietveld) December 4, 2017
What Is Coding?
Coding is basically a set of words that tell your blog, a website, an app, a game, or other software what to do. Without coding, a computer or device won’t do anything.
Here are some videos that explain coding further.
This is a great one-minute video for younger students to explains coding.
Older students might enjoy this one-minute video.
This 4-minute video is also a great explanation for older students with a few more details.
Computer Science Week
Computer Science Education Week runs annually worldwide. This year, it’s being held from 3-8 December.
Many schools, teachers, and students participate in Hour of Code during Computer Science Education Week.
Why is computer science worth celebrating and promoting?
This video shows us how computer science is improving so many areas of our life.
What is Hour of Code?
Hour of Code is designed to introduce young people worldwide to the basics of coding and computer science through one-hour coding activities.
While these activities are promoted during Computer Science Education Week, they can be done at any time throughout the year.
Coding And Blogging
In the early days of the internet, if you wanted a blog or website, you had to know how to code it yourself.
Nowadays, most of the hard work is done for us and anyone can claim a website in minutes. For example, you can go to edublogs.org and sign up for a free blog. You don’t need to make your blog. All you need to worry about is the design and content.
Despite that fact that you don’t have to know how to code to be a part of the online community, there are many reasons why having some basic understandings of coding is helpful.
Being comfortable with coding can help you:
- Customise aspects of your blog (like adding/editing embed code).
- Troubleshoot (when something doesn’t look right, you can check the code for obvious errors).
- Learn important skills like logical thinking, creativity, and communication.
- Consider a wide range of career paths and explore coding in more depth.
Week Nine Tasks
This week there are three tasks to choose from. (Edit: Comments for this post are now closed as there are so many for Alex to go through).
All tasks are suitable for student bloggers and I’ve offered ideas on how they can be adapted for classes.
Task 1: Leave A Comment For Alex
Edit: We closed comments for this post on 10th December as there are so many for Alex to go through. Alex is currently traveling and will share some responses with us when he has time. Stay tuned!
Go back and re-read the blurb above about Alex.
Alex certainly has an inspiring story to share. Despite being blind and a school student, he’s an outstanding self-taught coder and a highly valued member of staff at Edublogs.
If you have a question for Alex, write it in a comment on this post. Scroll down to find the commenting box at the bottom of this post.
Maybe you want to know about learning to code, using a computer as a blind person, managing school and a job, or anything else!
Don’t forget:
- Introduce yourself briefly — maybe say your age and where you’re from
- Read over your comment before you submit it and fix up any errors
- Check back to see if Alex has replied
If you’re working as a class on this activity, perhaps choose one comment to write together as a class.
Task 2: Try An Hour Of Code Activity
For this task, try an Hour of Code activity and write a blog post about it.
The Hour of Code website is jam-packed with activities that you can try!
A good place to start is the ‘student-guided tutorials‘. Don’t worry if you haven’t tried coding before, you’ll be walked through what to do. It’s fun!
Be sure to filter your search results to find a suitable activity.
- You’ll see the ages listed on the bar at the top from pre-readers up to Grades 9+.
- Along the left-hand side, you can also filter activities based on what technology you have and what topics you’d like to explore.
When you’ve tried out an activity, write a blog post about it. Make sure you include the link to the activity (a screenshot would be awesome too!). Review the activity. Tell your readers what you learnt and whether you recommend it to others.
If you’re working as a class on this activity, perhaps the teacher can write a post with a selection of activities for students to try. Students could write their reflections in a comment.
Teachers, if you want to run an actual Hour of Code program, this how-to guide should help.
Task 3: Try Some Code On Your Blog
If you’re using a platform like Edublogs or CampusPress, you’ll notice that there is a visual editor and text editor.
Switching between the two is easy but we mostly write our blog posts using the visual editor. It’s based on a ‘what you see is what you get’ framework (just like programs like Microsoft Word or Google Docs).
Unlike the visual editor, the text editor requires you to add any formatting such as italics, bold, links, and spacing manually using HTML (although there are some shortcut buttons you can use).
HTML is a computer language that stands for Hypertext Markup Language. It’s the standard language for creating web pages.
This activity involves trying some HTML by writing the code in the text editor. You can also use HTML in comments. When you’ve had a go at trying HTML, write a blog post about it and tell everyone how you went. Was it easy/hard? Did you learn anything new?
The instructions below show you how to use bold, italics, and add a link.
Remember, coding is about troubleshooting. So if something doesn’t work, take a closer look at your code. Maybe you’ve added a space or missed a symbol.
Loading...
Reload document 
Open in new tab Too easy? More advanced coders can look up the HTML for different functions like headings, lists (bullet points), color, horizontal rule (line), and more. There are a LOT of guides to learning HTML online. You might even make your own cheat sheet and publish it for others!
If you’re working as a class on this activity, the teachers could publish a post and the students could try out the HTML in a comment.
Submit Your Post URL ⬇
If you want a commenter and other participants to visit your blog, remember to fill in the Google Form below.
The Google Form
Teachers, feel free to put the link to this Week 9 Google Form on your own blog if you’d like.
https://goo.gl/forms/5H8r10R78dH5SpWk1
Our final topic: Reflecting on the Student Blogging Challenge.
Comments for this post were closed on December 10th.
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250 comments on “Week 9: Coding”
Hello, Alex!
My name is Destiny and I’m from Missouri! I’m currently 16 years old and going on 17 the 15th of August. I want you to know just how much of an inspiration you are to keep pushing on despite the problems you may face, and by no doubt is it encouraging, especially to me. I’m very, very proud and thankful for you to have been doing what you are now! I’m amazed at your abilities, too, and even more so at your optimism and enthusiasm! You’ve got a brilliant future ahead of you and I hope you have an amazing rest of the day, a better one tomorrow, so on and so forth forevermore! Happy Holidays and keep going, there’s a beaming bright light at the end of your tunnel!
Hi Alex!
My name is hmsrimi (Rimi), and I am turning 11 years old soon. I live in Hawaii! I think that it’s super cool for you, to be able to inspire everyone from around the world. It’s amazing that you learned how to code even while you are blind! I still have my vision, and I can see perfectly fine, but I don’t know how to code! You are so talented, and still young. You still have many people to inspire in the future! I have one question for you. How is it like not being able to see, and coding at the same time?! I hope you respond to this! Thank you!
Sincerely,
hmsrimi❤
Hi Alex,
I’m HMSAdam and you inspired me so much. You are at a disadvantage to everyone and you still proceed to work hard and never give up. You have a great future ahead of you and I’m excited to see what your future is going to be like. I would like to wish you good luck with your further studies.
Thank you,
HMSAdam
Hey Alex,
I’m Denis from Hawaii I took classes on coding at my school for fun but I am definitely nowhere near your professional level! I think what you are doing is very inspirational, and makes me want to start working on my coding again. If I were a professional coder I would make games (but probably the games would be horrible). Anyways make sure you check out my blog cause I’m about to make a post with a link to a game I coded, try it out and tell me what you think!
Sincerely,
Denis
Hello Alex,
My name is Ino or hmsino, I live in Mililani if you didn’t know it is in Hawaii and I am 13 years old. I am in 7th grade. It is pretty cool that you can code for a business and still be blind. I bet that there are a lot of people that look up to you and want to be just like you. I just have one question why did you want to start a career in coding?
Hi Alex,
I’m Sarah and I’m from Hawaii. Your story is astonishing and I’m amazed how you taught yourself how to code. Do you have any advice on beginner coders and how they could possibly start a career? How do you think coding could change technology in the future? I hope you have a good day and continued to inspire people.
Thanks,
Sarah
Hello, Alex,
It shocks me to know that you’re working for a company and coding while you’re blind! I have one question for you, how did you get into coding? Who or what inspired you? I would be very ecstatic if you would reply to my comment!!
From,
Daley 😉
Hi Alex,
My name is Alex, and I think that is really cool that you are blind and you can code so well. I read the passage about you and coding. That is really inspiring, code also seems very complicated with all of the numbers and letters.
From,
hmsalex
Hey Alex!
My name is Cole or hmscole and I am in 6 grade. I am from Honolulu, Hawaii and I am 11 years old. You are a very inspiring person and you had to persevere through obstacles in life to accomplish everything you have done now. It is very cool that you can code and you are blind! You must have to practice a lot! One question that I would like to ask is how long did it take you to become this successful in life? Thank you and I wish you a Merry Christmas!
Many thanks,
hmscole,
Hello Alex,
My name is Whitney, I am from the USA in Iowa. I am 13 years old and love to do Edublog. I am in 8th grade. I believe you made a big impact in everyone’s world. I know you will change the world. You don’t have to answer this question but, “How has your life changed scene you went blind?” Drastic or small changes you had to get used too.
Wish you luck on your journey,
~Whitney
Dear Alex,
Hello I am hmsdevyn, I am 11 years old and I am from Hawai’i. I am amazed on how to can code even though you are blind. When I was in 3rd and 4th grade I use to code too. I think that it is great that you can code and work for a company when you are still in school. I hope I will see your work.
Sincerely,
hmsdevyn
Dear Alex,
You are such an inspiration to prior all over the world. My name is Katie, and I’m a 6th grade. I am also 11 years old and I live in Hawaii. I have so many questions for you. How did you learn how to code? I want to learn how to code, too. How do you use a computer when you’re blind? Was it hard to learn how to code? You are really amazing! I can’t believe you have a job and you know how to code when you’re blind. You are so talented. Good luck!
Sincerely,
Katie
Dear Alex,
It must be horrible to be blind at a very young age. It’s amazing how you still work in a tough environment i wouldn’t be able to do all the things you do even if i wasn’t blind. Your so talented i can’t even imagine coding for a business i can barely code for school.you have a great opportunity and it looks like you are doing your best hope you do well in coding hope to hear back from you ,bye.
HI Alex I’m Caden. I just wanted to ask how is your life going. Is it going good is it hard? Because I feel really bad for you and others who are like that because it is terrible that this world can do that.
Hi Alex,
My name is hmsriho and I’m from Honolulu, Hawaii. I am so shocked that you can code at such a young age and even when you are blind. I can’t even code and I have my eyesight. You should be very proud of what you can do because not most people can do what you can do. I hope you keep pursuing coding and enjoy it as well.
Aloha, hmsriho
Dear Alex,
My name is Tyson, and I live in California. I am not blind, or have any disability whatsoever, but I will try my hardest to put myself in your shoes while writing this. Your story is truly inspiring, and shows what a person can do, and what they can overcome, when they put their mind to it, and remain determined. I find it amazing that despite your disability, you are able to still do what you love. I do have a couple questions for you. One is, do you intend on pursuing coding as a professional job? Do have any ideas of companies that you want to work at? Or do you want to start your own coding company? Anyway, it has been truly awe-inspiring to read about your life, and what you had to overcome. Best wishes.
Sincerely, Tyson
Aloha Alex,
My name is Kira or (hmskirac), I am from Honolulu, Hawaii and 11 years old! I am also a 6th grader! You are such an inspiration to all people around the world and I’m sure that everyone is proud of you! I am very amazed that you can code when you’re blind when I can not even code with having sight! How amazing is that??? You are so talented and have a great future ahead of you! I hope you have a good rest of your life coding and I hope you respond to my comment!! Bye
Mahalo,
hmskirac
Hi Alex,
My name is Chansen and I am 12 years old and from Hawaii. I just want to tell you that inspiration for many people. It takes a lot of skill to do what you do. Hope to hear back from you
From,
Chansen
Hi Alex,
My name is Jennifer, and I live in Hawaii. I am very amazed by your story, and I have a question to ask you. How did you learn to code despite being blind? I’m very surprised that you have such a good job at 17! I would also like to know, how do you manage your time so well? I hope you continue to keep doing your best!
Here’s a link to my blog!
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Hello Alex,
My name is Raya. I am from Oahu, and I am 13 years old. It is amazing that you can code without being able to see. My vision is practically perfect, and I can’t even code. You are such an inspiration to many people who have heard about you. Keep up your amazing work!
From,
hmsraya
Hey Alex,
My name is Reise and I am from Hawaii. I just want to tell you that you are such an inspiration to so many people. It’s amazing that you can code and be blind. I can’t even code and I can see. You are so amazingly skilled, and people can learn so much from you and your story.
From,
hmsreise
Hey Alex,
My name is Reise and I am from Hawaii. I just want to tell you that you are such an inspiration to so many people. It’s amazing that you can code and be blind. I can’t even code and I can see. You are so amazingly skilled, and people can learn so much from you and your story.
Hello Alex,
My name is Emily, and I’m a student in the Preformace Learning Program at Seycove Secondary. We get amazing opportunities to work with technology on a daily basis, but our work with coding has been some of the most fun. We have explored the app Swift Playgrounds and created our own coding functions, along with recently visiting the museum of living computers. Some of the robots you could program there were amazing, and give me so many ideas for what I could use code for in the future. I was wondering, if someone was interested in becoming a professional coder, what steps could they take when still in school to start working towards that? Can anyone be a coder?
Yours truly,
Emily J
Dear Alex,
My name is hmsalexandrak. I am so impressed with what you do. I can’t even do coding and I can see. What made you want to do coding? I think that you are the type of person who can do anything so keep trying your best. I hope you continue to code I hide it amazing that you can do it. I hope you have a great time doing coding.
From,
hmsalexandrak
Dear Alex,
My name is hmskally. I am 11 years-old. I am amazed that you can code even though you are blind. If I was blind, I don’t think that I would ever be able to do it. I have a question for you. What is your favorite part of coding? To me, it can be very hard to code because of all the different codes that you have to remember. I can’t imagine how much effort you give into coding even though you’re blind. I think that is the most brilliant thing that I have ever heard. Thank you for encouraging everyone in the world that even though things might seem impossible, but they are possible in ways that you could accomplish.
Sincerely,
hmskally
Dear Alex,
I’m tayne and I’m from Hawaii. I’m inspired by your story. It’s amazing that you can code with being blind. I can’t even code at all even with me being able to see. So keep up what you are doing and thank you for being an amazing person.
Sincerely,
Tayne
Hi Alex,
My name is Emily, I am 13 years old and I live in Canada. I think that it is amazing that you are able to code while you can barely see. I don’t have much experience with coding but what I have done I had fun doing and I would like to do more. Is it hard doing your job while not being able to see?
Heya Alex!
I’m Natalie, and I’m truly inspired and amazed by your story. It made me realize that anyone can do anything, even if they have disabilities. I’m truly glad that this was a comfortable job for you. Also, I have a question. How do motivate yourself to keep going to code? Hope you can answer back, thanks for sharing your story.
~Natalie
Come check out my blog! http://hmsnatalie.edublogs.org/
Dear Alex,
Hi, my name is Tani and I live in Hawaii. Your story is so remarkable and made a difference in this world. I find it inspirational that you can code even with a disadvantage. Keep making differences and changing the world.
~Tani
hi Alex
my name is Zachary and your story is so inspiring. It shows that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. To see that you can code is so cool
love zachary
Dear Alex,
I think your coding career is so cool, because not many 17-year-olds get that chance. I would take that job if I got to.
Sincerely,
Ashlny
Dear Alex, I am so sorry you are blind. Getting blind and 6 months old is tough. I hope you are having a good year and a good life. Make sure you do your homework before you read this. I hope you have a amazing career. Sincerely, Jonah Chavez
Dear Alex,
How can you memorize all the coding stuff by your self. I think it would be hard for me to memorize all off that by myself. Also I think you are good at coding.
sincerely,
Tania
Dear Alex,
I find your work very interesting, you make it seem as if coding is not as hard as it looks. This is because keeping the servers of INCSUB up using code mustn’t be as hard if you can do it. Every person has the ability to do anything, but someone has to show what there is to be done, you are that person.
Dear Alex,
I think that it is very interesting how you made your own coding company and you only 17 years old. I also think that its cool how your blind and still are able to do coding ona computer, it always amazes me. I acctually coding is really cool too. What got you into coding? Was coding always what you were interested in?
Sincerely, Dakota
Dear Alex,
I find your story very inspiring. It so cool that you are able to help so many people! My dad actually does something very similar. He explains some of the coding to me. I have even looked at some of the code for an app he made. It was just for work, and I can’t tell you what it was for. I would have forgotten by now, and also he never told me. I am glad that you have been able to have fun and code, because I can’t code yet. I have been trying to learn. I hope that you can have a lot of fun coding!
– Eliza
I like that your blindness did not stop you on your career and you kept on going no matter what. How do you see your screen when you are Blind?
Dear Alex,
My name is Jaanvi and you are really inspiring and you show that just because there are things holding you back doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Many people don’t do things because many things are holding them back, but you show people that it’s OK if things hold you back you still have to try. I find it really cool that you code and work on computers. I myself can’t code because I’m not that good, but after reading your story I’ll try to start coding and get better
Dear Alex,
I am 11 and live in California. It is so cool that you taught yourself to code all those types of code languages. You inspire me to push past difficulties and work harder. Thank you Alex!
Dear, Alex
Reading about your story was very compelling. I am really glad that you pushed through to your goal no matter what obstacle got in your way. Do you ever do coding on your own time? Anyways good job Alex it was great getting to know you.
Hey Alex!
My name is Jaedon and I am inspired by your story. Your story made me realize that anyone can learn coding if they put enough effort into it. I also think it is amazing that you were able to find a job that you can actually be comfortable with. Thank you for inspiring many others including me. I wish you a happy life!
Sincerely,
Jaedon
Dear Alex.
My name is Love and I’m from California. I am truly inspired from your passion for coding. I am surprised you know how to code, especially with your disabilities. I only know how to code on Tynker. You must have very generous people to help you learn how to and you also must have patience. Keep doing what you love, Alex!
Sincerely, Love
hey Alex, my names A.J. I’m in sixth grade and i enjoy coding as well I taught myself how to do java late last year and it turned out to be quite enjoyable. -A.J.
Hi Alex,
I’m Sparrow, and I’m for America. You’re really inspiring. I also think that younger kids should get involved with code. I’m currently learning Java-Script, and like you said, it’s not actually that hard.
Dear Alex,
Hi! My name is Jordan! I have a few questions that I would like to ask you. 1. What is your favorite and least favorite subject in school? 2. When did you first realize that you wanted to be a developer? And finally, 3. What kind of visual impairness do you have? ( Can you see shadows? Colors?…) I think it’s so cool that you work to help others that are in the same situation as you. Thank you for your time! Bye!
Sincerely,
Jordan
Dear Alex
I hope you get better. I think its amazing that you can code.It is very inspiring to me and to many more.You can never let you vision get in your way live like any other person.
Sincerely Isaac
Hi Alex!
My name is Nora and you inspired me to want to learn coding and do coding at the same time!Being blind can sometimes have its disadvantages but for you you found a way to have fun.Being able to code sounds really awesome and you can enjoy the challenge at the same time.Coding is something that we do at school sometimes for a hour or two and we enjoy having the challenge to solve something.you sound like a really nice person and you inspire many people to do coding!
Dear Alex,
My name is Charlotte. I think it is very cool that you could code. How long have you been coding for? How did you get into coding?
Sincerely,
Charlotte
Dear Alex,
My name is Abraham I hope your doing OK right know. I really like that able to code despite your disability i wish i was like even thou there might be something wrong you still strive to complete. I’m the exact opposite if my neck hurts but i have to look down to do something I don’t do it at all
Your friend ,
Abraham
Hi Alex!
My name is Helina and you have really inspired me to do coding! It’s quite sad to be blind, but terrific that you know how to code. You’ve inspired me and lots of others to do coding.
Sincerely,
Helina.