Programming Institute

The CodeVA Programming Institute is a high-intensity, in-person, three-day crash course designed to help educators prepare to teach coding in their classrooms. During the program, participants will work hands-on with programming languages, complete coding projects, and study lesson plans and curricular resources as they make a plan for providing high-quality coding instruction in their schools.

The 2024 CodeVA Programming Institute supports four programming tools/languages for participants to focus on during the course:

• Python, with a particular focus on creating command-line (i.e., text-based without graphics) programs

• Java using the Processing IDE, which focuses on creating visual art & games using a beginner-friendly graphics library

• Micro:Bit, using the MakeCode web-based editor (which supports writing code with block-based, Python, or Javascript languages). The Institute will provide Micro:Bits for educators to use during the program.

• Twine, a beginner-friendly, text-based web tool for creating interactive stories

At the beginning of the program, participants will learn the basics of coding pedagogy, explore instructional strategies to use with their students, and analyze the Computer Science Standards of Learning to identify developmentally appropriate skills students should learn in their classes. During the program, participants will work with their chosen programming language to create a project, learning practical skills and developing fluency with their chosen tool. Finally, at the end of the program, participants will identify curricula and resources to extend their learning and support instruction through the academic year.

• Read, debug, analyze, and write simple programs in a programming tool of their choice (Python, Java with Processing, Micro:Bit, or Twine are currently supported)

• Facilitate coding instruction aligned to research-support best practices, including PRIMM, pair-programming, and live-code lectures

• Implement high-quality, standards-aligned coding curricula around a programming tool of their choice (Python, Java with Processing, Micro:Bit, or Twine are currently supported) 

• Create engaging, responsive, and developmentally-leveled coding assignments and projects for their students

Any educators providing coding instruction to students grades 5-12.

Beginner/Intermediate - Participating educators may have no knowledge or experience with programming or have basic knowledge or experience with programming

CodeVA professional learning is free for Virginia and DC public school educators, preservice students and educators, and Dept. of Defense Education Activity teachers.

Tuition applies to all out of state and private school educators. You can find out tuition costs HERE. 

Please note that you must have an approved VA Public School or DC Public School email domain to register. If you are not seeing a register button, it is due to one of the following reasons:

1. Your email is not all lowercase

2. Your email domain is not approved

3. Your profile is incomplete (a completed customer profile is required for registration).

If you are having trouble registering, please use this document to make sure you have completed all the necessary steps.

Pre-service teachers and educators should email educators@codevirginia.com for a waiver to register.

Those wishing to pay the tuition costs should email educators@codevirginia.org to be invoiced. CodeVA only accepts credit card payments at this time.