Okay, so I spent several hours on this Thing today. (Personal day, hooray!)
I should say that I really understand the concept of coding because before my current career as a library media specialist, I got my Bachelors (and worked 1 1/2 years toward an MS) in Chemical Engineering. I have done a fair amount of programming, albeit 25-35 years ago. Back in the days of BASIC and FORTRAN. In fact, my first computer was a Commodore VIC-20 that I spent all summer working at McDonalds to buy. I was in the computer club in Middle School and I took programming course in HS and college.
With that said, I delved into the Hour of Code site first after watching the videos. I earned my certificate. :) And I would probably personally go back to do more as it is fun.
I am interested in having kids try the Hour of Code, but I will have to see what I can pull off. I don't usually get students for an hour. I know that they can sign in to save their progress, but our kids don't have an e-mail address until 5th grade and even then it doesn't connect to the outside world. It is only an internal e-mail address. I can think of a few 5th grade boys who would LOVE it, if they haven't already done it.
I did take a look at the Blockly site itself, too. While it is doable, it doesn't lay things out in an easy to understand way like Hour of Code does.
I also read several of the Libraries & Coding posts/links. I also animated my name. http://www.codecademy.com/ajaxSolver16877/codebits/Ns3TPO#.UzXF0X7_K2k.email
Then, I went to Mozilla Thimble Webmaker and worked on the Keep Calm and Carry On poster. https://thimble.webmaker.org/project/44448/edit
I was disappointed that I couldn't print out my poster when I was done. I know that there must be places where you can because people are making different posters. (Our art teacher has Keep Calm and Crayon.)
So these coding lessons are really cool. I will have to work to see if I can do it in school.
