Hour of Low-Code

We used to be those people. You know those people… the ones who believe that EVERYONE in the world should learn to code. Your kids should be coding, your grandparents should be coding, coal-miners should be coding…EVERYONE should be coding. We believed this because Computer Science, coding, and tech have dramatically changed so many of our lives for the better and we want everyone in the world to benefit like we have.

In the past few years however, we’ve realized that that mission of everyone in the world learning to code is simply not going to happen with such steep requirements. Not everyone has the time, energy, or interest to invest in getting a full Computer Science degree. This does NOT mean that people can’t still benefit from what Computer Science can do for them. But we can involve more people in problem solving when there are fewer gates in the way to start.

This year, we are commemorating Computer Science Education Week with a fun new week-long celebration that we’re calling the Hour of Low-Code. Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field. But we don’t ONLY want this to be for students–we want adults to get involved as well.

During the week of December 7 – 13, we want to introduce the concept of “low-code development” as part of Computer Science Education Week so that ANYONE in the world can learn to build apps, chatbots, websites and automation… without having to learn to code first.

We have created a list of curriculum and resources below that you can use to DIY your own Hour of Low-Code celebration for your home, workplace or classroom. There is something for EVERYONE in your life, whether they’re a K-12 student or an adult. Choose a project or set of projects that fits your interests.

Link to this page: aka.ms/HourOfLowCode

Students can automate the classroom with Power Automate

Can you think of a task that you have to do every week or every day? Can’t someone else do it? You can replace those tasks with automation instead.

One way to experience the Hour of Low-Code is to run a hackathon event to solve problems. This can take place across one day or an hour each day during the Computer Science Education Week.

Students Hack it! A Power Automate Hackathon Design thinking for the classroom A hackathon is an event where you identify real-world problems that affect you and your community. Students break out into small groups to tackle a worthwhile problem. By diagramming and exploring tools like Power Automate, students will create flows to automate tasks to solve their chosen problem. This hackathon is ideal for open-ended learning with real-world impact. Slide deck

Educators can automate tasks with Power Automate

Introduction to Power Automate Use Power Automate to increase productivity Now, more than ever, educators face time management challenges; realizing that the age-old adage of “not enough hours in a day” is a daily reality for many. Educators need to win back some of this lost time. The good news is there is an app just for this! This app is Power Automate. In this course, educators gain a greater understanding of what Power Automate is. Educators will also explore what Power Automate can do. Finally, educators will see just how Power Automate can benefit them in simplifying everyday tasks. Link to course

Become an app maker with Power Apps

Below is a plan for how you can spend your time on each day of Computer Science Education Week. Completing a pre-made project is a good starting point for learning how to make apps. This series includes 3 projects, a free choice day, and a day for presentation.

	Day 1: Create your own library An app for cataloging your books Staying organized is a healthy habit that has many benefits including clearing the mind and relieving stress. With the right tools you can organize everything from upcoming school assignments to words you’ve learned from another language, and even toys and games you own. This tutorial will guide you in creating an app for cataloguing your own library. You can use it to organize books that you have read, books that you want to read, or simply books that you own. How you use it and customize it is up to you. Link to project Watch the video
	Day 2: Create a word bank An app for tracking or translating words you’ve learned It can be overwhelming to learn a new language or a new topic. If you had an app to keep track of new words you have learned or key vocabulary words and how to use them, it could be more manageable. This tutorial will walk through creating an app for saving words to a word bank and even translating them. Link to project Watch the video
	Day 3: Create a musical instrument A kalimba project When you think of a musical instrument, you may imagine one made of brass or wood or strings, but music can come from anywhere. This tutorial will guide you in creating your own kalimba, or thumb piano. It is a basic instrument that you can customize with your own sounds and graphics. Link to project
	Day 4: Free choice Catch up, explore, or create your own app Now that you have tried some projects, you can use this day to catch up on any that you have not completed. You can also use this day to learn from the templates that are available out of the box. If you’re ready, you can even create your own app.
	Day 5: Presentation Day Celebrate your learning! A week of project-based learning is not complete without sharing what you have learned or created. Take the time with a format of your choice to share what you have learned from the projects or what you have made on your own or with a team.

Udacity course

Udacity Power Build powerful business apps with Microsoft Power Platform Our Udacity Course is a 10-20 hour course that will walk you through how to build a mobile app, add automation to it and then add some AI (artificial intelligence) magic to it without having to learn to code first. By the end of this course, you’ll have something very cool to show off to your family and friends AND something you should definitely add to your resume and LinkedIn profile. Show off to us too! Link to course

Share with us

This is the very first year we’re celebrating Hour of Low-Code, but it definitely won’t be the last. With the sheer number of job opportunities out there for those with tech education (150 million vacant tech jobs by the year 2025?), it’s never too early or too late to get involved.

Start your Hour of Low-Code journey today and tag us on social media so we can follow along and celebrate with you using hashtag #HourOfLowCode.