Nowadays, it’s plain to see that computers, apps, smartphones, and many other household technologies are increasingly powering the world. Software engineers and developers do their best daily to bring ideas forward and innovate with useful tech tools that make life easier.
Schools are taking note of this, looking to prepare students for a tech-enabled world where they will interact with technology or partake in its creation. Initiatives have been so robust that today, 82% of US high school students now have Computer Science (CS) classes available at their schools, twice as many as in 2018.
But learning about technology and interacting with it shouldn’t just stay in CS classes.
Low-code/no-code development platforms were initially conceived to help engineers develop and test quality apps more efficiently, adding drag-and-drop functionalities and block coding that remove hard coding from the equation. However, as time went by, it was apparent that these tools allowed non-experts like citizen developers to create tailored apps at work or for personal use.
Now, the value of low-code/no-code (LCNC) is entering the education space, enhancing learning outcomes for students with dedicated edtech tools — across all subject areas, not just CS.
Let’s explore four benefits of implementing LCNC tools in the classroom.
Learn Coding Basics With a Low-Code Platform
CS intro courses equip students with preliminary theory crucial for diving into technology’s logic and inner workings. The next step immerses them into entry-level coding through educational platforms that give them a first look at the real thing — but aren’t quite that.
But what if real-life software could offer them the tools they need to learn and start creating without the complexity of heavy-duty coding languages? That’s where LCNC tools enter the education space to bridge the gap between drag-and-drop platforms and languages like Python.
For instance, a low-code platform can be the best hands-on approach for practicing basic coding theory with several actions beyond “if this, then that.” That way, students won’t be faced with a black screen filled with intricate actions, but will still be able to create a fully-fledged app without any limitations.
This cutting-edge education technology is being used in tandem by developers and workers in many fields who wish to improve their department’s workflows with tailored tools. As such, students are learning with a platform that is both educational and allows them to face the same challenges and meet the same goals as developers.
Create Subject-Specific Apps With Low-Code/No-Code Tools
While many might think LCNC platforms are only useful for CS classes, the truth is that students can apply this knowledge to create apps for any subject. An application can take whatever shape or form you give it, which means students only need to think creatively to build apps for science, history, ethics, or any other class.
For example, students in Denver created an app for citizens to register to vote and understand their candidates’ policies as part of a nationwide educator collective exploring technologies like AI and programming to teach and learn. Students were eager to build this tool, which proved to be a success, as teachers claimed.
LCNC platform users only require a minimum of understanding to get going, so educators in any subject can implement this technology to get students excited about tedious subjects or simply to make lessons more dynamic and hands-on. Some ideas range from an app to solve the square root of any number, explain American history after the Civil War with gamification, a database to store the lessons students have learned, and more.
Hone Problem-Solving Skills With No-Code Development Platforms
Building software from scratch involves dividing the project into small parts and piecing the puzzle together. Because of this, engineers develop a systematic approach to creating a product, solving problems, and delivering the best result.
Whether LCNC tools are being used in a CS class or any other subject, encouraging students to build an app gives them skills beyond knowing how to code. It helps hone their problem-solving skills.
For instance, creating an app isn’t a perfect process and there will always be issues along the way. Finding the glitches — debugging it — teaches students to trace their steps, use analytical thinking, and find the root of an issue. As a result, they create their own roadmap to finding solutions, which is an invaluable skill, not just for using technology and creating software, but in life.
By using LCNC platforms to dip their toes into programming, students are building resilience and patience, working through frustrations, and hopefully, seeing a project through to completion.
Enhance Student Collaboration In Group Projects
Although LCNC tools highly simplify the app-making process, it’s still an intricate activity with many steps to tackle. It requires careful planning of the different pages and actions it will have, designing the interface, building the code with blocks and drag-and-drop functionalities, and testing and iterating.
Thus, creating an app can be a joint effort between those who want to design it, code it, test it, and so on. The process demands extremely coordinated teams that know how to communicate effectively, listen to diverse ideas and choose the right one, and overcome obstacles. Just like any machine that needs every moving part to work in order to function properly, building an app works the same way.
This process edifies students’ leadership skills, teaches them about the power of responsibility, and can bring them great satisfaction once they deliver their final product.
Edtech companies are emerging to build better LCNC tools and optimize them for everyone, even middle school and high school students, to easily maneuver them and create real-life apps. For educators, this is an opportunity to engage students with an unconventional yet innovative way of teaching, improving participation and crucial soft skills.
As technology continues to make its way into our everyday lives, the classroom is an apt place for students to learn about it, interact with it in a safe environment, and come out with vital life skills.
Are you ready to elevate your lessons and improve student engagement? Try Appli for free and get your students on board today!
