About Course

This introductory coding course is designed for beginners looking to develop a foundational understanding of programming, an essential skill in today’s tech-driven world. Participants will gain hands-on experience in coding, problem-solving, and logical thinking. The course focuses on building a strong base in coding concepts that can be applied to any programming language, preparing learners for future skills in technology and problem-solving.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the basics of programming and its applications
• Write simple code to solve real-world problems
• Grasp core coding concepts like variables, conditionals, loops, and functions
• Develop logical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Gain confidence to continue learning in specific programming languages or fields

Target Audience

• Students, young professionals, or anyone curious about coding
• Individuals interested in a career pivot or adding coding skills to their resume
• Beginners with no prior experience in programming who want to gain essential skills for tomorrow’s tech-based careers

Week 1: Introduction to Coding and

Computational Thinking

• Session 1: Why Learn Coding? An Overview of Applications
  • The role of coding in today’s world
  • Different fields where coding is essential (e.g., web development, AI, data science)
  • How coding builds transferable skills for any career
• Session 2: Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving
  • Introduction to algorithms and flowcharts
  • Breaking down problems into steps
  • Practice: Solving simple logical puzzles

Week 2: Getting Started with Code

• Session 3: Coding Environment and First Lines of Code
  • Introduction to IDEs (Integrated Development Environments)
  • Writing, saving, and running code
  • Practice: Writing a basic “Hello, World” program
• Session 4: Understanding Variables and Data Types
  • Declaring and using variables
  • Exploring data types (strings, numbers, booleans)
  • Practice: Basic calculations and data manipulation

Week 3: Conditionals and Control Flow

• Session 5: Decision-Making in Code (Conditionals)
  • Introduction to “if”, “else if”, and “else” statements
  • Practical applications of conditionals
  • Practice: Writing simple decision-based programs
• Session 6: Nested Conditionals and Logical Operators
  • Working with multiple conditions
  • Understanding “and”, “or”, “not” operators
  • Practice: Solving more complex decision-making problems

Week 4: Loops and Iteration

• Session 7: Introduction to Loops
  • Basics of “for” and “while” loops
  • When to use loops in programs
  • Practice: Writing code to repeat tasks
• Session 8: Nested Loops and Practical Applications
  • Using loops within loops
  • Solving real-world problems with loops
  • Practice: Simple pattern generation and iteration exercises

Week 5: Functions and Code Modularity

• Session 9: Understanding Functions and Their Importance
  • Basics of defining and calling functions
  • Parameters and return values
  • Practice: Writing reusable code blocks
• Session 10: Modular Code and Organization
  • Splitting code into manageable sections
  • Writing clean, well-organized code
  • Practice: Refactoring code using functions

Week 6: Introduction to Data Structures

• Session 11: Lists and Arrays
  • Basics of lists/arrays for storing data
  • Common operations on lists
  • Practice: Storing and accessing data with lists
• Session 12: Basic Operations and Use Cases
  • Sorting, appending, and manipulating list data
  • Simple projects using lists
  • Practice: Small data-based programs using lists

Week 7: Mini-Projects and Problem Solving

• Session 13: Working on Mini-Projects
  • Selecting a mini-project based on interest
  • Step-by-step guidance on structuring the project
  • Practice: Writing code for a small program (e.g., calculator, quiz game)
• Session 14: Completing and Refining Projects
  • Implementing feedback, improving code
  • Adding features and debugging
  • Practice: Finalizing project code and sharing with peers

Week 8: Next Steps in Coding

• Session 15: Debugging and Error Handling
  • Basics of debugging and fixing errors in code
  • Tools and techniques for finding bugs
  • Practice: Common error resolution exercises
• Session 16: Preparing for the Future: What’s Next in Coding?
  • Overview of languages to learn next (e.g., Python, JavaScript)
  • Resources for continued learning (online courses, coding communities)
  • Final Q&A and wrap-up discussion