Learning Resource

Washington School District Scratches the ‘Itch’ to Teach Coding

Teachers in Washington are implementing ITCH, a coding resource platform from Ucodemy that has ready-to-go lessons and instructional videos.

• By Sri Ravipati
• 06/20/16

Snohomish School District in Washington is equipping its teachers to teach coding skills. Beginning in the fall, teachers and students will use a coding platform from Ucodemy tailored to K­–12 students.

ITCH, an online learning environment with video lessons, incorporates interactive stories, games and animations to teach basic coding skills to students. The platform guides users through core concepts to a level where they can design and create projects on their own. Students can watch videos and view directions in the same window. Additionally, teachers can access collaborative tools and coding curriculums on ITCH. They can modify existing courses or create new ones in the website’s user interface.

Valley Middle School has already started using the platform in classrooms. One educator, Kathy Greenwood, has noticed her special needs students making strides using ITCH.

“Some of my students who have a hard time expressing themselves have a huge interest in computers,” said Kathy Greenwood, a paraeducator at Valley Middle School, in a prepared statement. “Because of ITCH, one particular student of mine has been able to communicate and express himself in an entirely new way — even in his vocabulary.”

Ucodemy offers teachers 24/7 coaching support to teachers who use the platform. Further information is available on the ITCH site.