Rainforest Coding Case Study: Approachable. Exciting. Accessible. Engaging.

These are all words that Lee Hollman, a public school teacher with the Department of Education for New York City, has used recently to describe Rainforest Coding!

He says that it makes technology accessible and exciting in a way that other software doesn’t. Lee said: “I like that Rainforest Coding has a variety of options and it’s very, very approachable!” 

We ‘virtually’ met up with Lee recently and it was great to get his feedback and hear what the favourite features were, among both the students and teaching staff at P.S 132 The Conselyea School in Brooklyn, New York.

When were you first introduced to Rainforest Coding?

“I have been using Rainforest Coding with my students for about 2 years now, with kindergarten classes all the way up to Grade 5. It’s good because it has enough available options to appeal to each of the age groups. This means that my K-2 group began with the simple puzzle of arranging the submarines on screen in a specific algorithmic order and my grades 3-5 kids worked on the actual coding aspects, the block based code featured in the more advanced level of Rainforest Coding. So, I find that its versatile enough to meet the needs of all the age groups.”

What are the students’ favourite aspects of Rainforest Coding?

“The K-2 respond to the bright colourful graphics which caught their eye and engaged them. Whereas the older group (aged 8-11) like the plot line, story and characters; I think that’s the hook for them! They also seemed to enjoy the brightly coloured and engaging graphics.”

As a teacher, what are your favourite features?

“My favourite feature is being able to track student progress. That’s a real given and something I look for as an educator! And I like that it allows each student to progress at their own pace - another big thing for me. That’s huge! Also, the lesson plans are useful as a jumping off point to designing a curriculum that meets the needs of each individual group of kids or class.”

Would you recommend Rainforest Coding?

“Sure! Unequivocally! I have already. We like Rainforest Coding for how engaging it is and how accessible it is. And that’s something I’ve brought to the attention of fellow educators.”

Lee teaches coding generally once a week to each different class/age group and it takes several weeks to complete all the advanced levels of the program, which fits in well with their curriculum and lesson timetables.

If you want to start your journey into scratch coding and see where it can take you, or if you want more information or a 14-day trial of Rainforest Coding, click here: RainforestCoding - Coding Games for Kids