As many thoughts turn to online learning when in-class instruction is currently suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, coding - creating computer programming code – is necessary for websites and online classrooms to function.

In today's digital age, coding is known as a vital skill to have – especially for young students. As students learn about how coding works, it prepares them for understanding the advances of technology around them. Jugaad Singh, a Grade 7 student from Mackenzie Elementary, recently tested a new and innovative tool to learn code called Code Jumper.

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Foundation and the American Printing House created Code Jumper specifically for Canadian students who are blind or partially sighted so they can learn how to code. "Before Code Jumper, I did not have any coding experience," says Singh.

The intuitive tool is specifically designed for children aged seven to 11 years old and takes coding off the computer screen and puts it directly into the students' hands. It does so by using plastic pods with buttons and knobs that are all connected by a variety of different types of cables. Each cable allows the user to physically create computer code that can tell stories, make music and even create jokes.

"At first, my coding experience involved stringing together a lot of different songs with code," says Singh.

"Jugaad has been using Code Jumper for a few weeks now as part of his learning program," says Geniene Sadler, student and service support worker at Mackenzie Elementary. "I think it's great that there is a program out there specifically designed for students so that they can learn coding in a hands-on way."

"Jugaad has definitely had a lot of fun coding jokes," says Sadler. "He's always laughing as he pulls together the code for a joke. He can barely keep a straight face." "Creating code is a lot of fun," adds Singh.

At the Code Jumper product launch in early March, Singh successfully coded the songs 'Twinkle Twinkle' and 'Row Your Boat'. Coding music and jokes is only the beginning for Singh as he plans to continue down this path in the future. Having the ability to code at a young age has already opened the doors to endless opportunities in computer science and technology industry for the grade 7 student.