The Coder School Goes Virtual, OC Kids Learn To Code Games & More

MISSION VIEJO, CA —There's a motto on the wall of Mission Viejo's The Coder School classroom: Learn to Code, Change the World. Today, computers are idle. The foosball table is silent. But at homes across Orange County, San Diego County and Riverside County, computer keyboards click and chatter continues. The Coder School remains open for business amid coronavirus. They are now virtually training students how to think critically and the satisfaction gained from completing what you start.

In Southern California, and across the globe, business owners are pivoting how they interact with customers in the time of coronavirus shutdown. The Coder School, with branches in Mission Viejo, Irvine, Yorba Linda, Cerritos/La Palma, Pasadena, San Diego, Poway, and La Jolla, is run locally by local General Manager and Regional Director Mark Freedkin, and General Manager of Mission Viejo, Melissa Draper.

Inside, it has all the appearance of a funky office space. Bright colors, modern work stations, even a fun area to blow off some creative steam. These are all elements in a thriving work environment, according to the franchise.

Since the global pandemic, The Coder School has gone virtual, to teach kids interested in learning how to learn, according to local General Manager, Mark Freedkin.

"We teach kids who may have never even seen a number line to learn x, y coordinates, common to all programming languages," Freedkin told Patch. "We teach in a way that young students can grasp complex projects that are project-based and not based upon a specific curriculum."

The Coder School prides itself on our face to face contact, on students interacting and learning with one another and coaches, and reaching their 'Aha!' moment." Code coaches employed by The Coding School are typically college or university-level computer science students From UC Irvine and Saddleback College.

Coaches, such as Coach Bill, told Patch that they love working with the students he's teaching to create video games, while having fun in the process. Bill added that he loves "sharing my passion for the technology with the next generation of innovators."

The Coder School's new model has helped teachers transition to coaching online instead of in the classroom.

The trick, Freedkin says, is keeping their online learners engaged so they can develop their logical thinking skills.

Freedkin believes in a three-pronged approach to the human learning experience.
He calls it the:

1. A-Ha!
2. Ha!
3. Ha! Ha!

"First, there's an element of 'Aha!'" he says, "which breaks down to, I learned something I didn't know."

Next, there is a moment when a student sits back with a "Ha!" As Freedkin explains, this is that moment when they know they've accomplished something.

Finally, kids reach that "Ha! Ha!" feeling. "They've had some fun, they giggle or laugh, and relax, knowing they are ready for what's next.

Teaching students online is still novel but is becoming the new normal for students across the country. Freedkin and site manager Marissa Draper both see benefits with the online model. They can work with students who otherwise may not have been able to reach their Mission Viejo or Irvine classroom, physically.

"We have students from 6 1/2 years old to teenagers," he said. "We give them a sense of accomplishment, building real-world projects, games, and puzzles. When they are engaged in what they are learning, they learn the syntax of coding."

Parents agree that the new system is working.

“My son had said he had so much fun and he learned a lot at his first lesson (with Coach Roy)," one parent told Patch. "It makes me so happy to hear that he had fun and learned more about something that he is really in to."

If you are interested in seeing if virtual code-coaching is for you or your family, try a free, 30-minute virtual sample lesson.

Schedule your free trial 30 minute coaching session at: tcsmv.youcanbook.me or call: 949-525-9332. Also look them up online at mv.thecoderschool.com

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