Code.org is a nonprofit organization revolutionizing computer science education worldwide. Since its founding in 2013, it has provided free coding curricula, teacher training resources, and interactive learning tools designed to make programming accessible to all students—including those with no prior coding experience, as well as females and underrepresented groups. With courses available in 67 languages, Code.org offers engaging tutorials, structured pathways, and creative projects that help students build real-world skills. The site also features the widely popular Hour of Code, which introduces coding concepts through interactive tutorials using familiar characters from games and movies, making programming approachable and exciting for learners of all backgrounds.
Why Code.org Matters
In today’s digital world, coding is an essential skill for students of all ages. Code.org
makes learning computer science engaging and approachable by progressively introducing concepts, ensuring success for learners at all levels. What makes Code.org particularly valuable for educators is its thoughtful approach to classroom implementation, offering detailed lesson plans, professional development opportunities, and tools that require minimal technical expertise. From hour-long introductory activities to full-year courses, Code.org meets students wherever they are on their coding journey, making it a versatile and powerful tool for any classroom.
Getting Started with Code.org
Navigating Code.org is simple, and many of its resources are accessible without creating an account. However, signing up allows students to track their progress and educators to manage classrooms effectively. With over 99 million students, 2.9 million teachers, and 332 million projects created, Code.org is a widely used platform with powerful learning opportunities.
This tutorial will walk you through the key features of Code.org, including how to set up an account, explore available courses, and make the most of its learning tools. The following sections include screenshots and step-by-step instructions to help you get started with the platform, whether you’re a first-time user or an experienced educator integrating computer science into your classroom.
Next, you can create your free account as a student or teacher. As a registered student, you can save your progress and join your teachers’ classroom section on Code.org. As an educator who registers, you can create your own classrooms on Code.org, monitor student progress, access assessments with answer keys, participate in free professional learning, and learn how to integrate Code.org into your school’s LMS.
Code.org offers many ways to register and log in. You can sign up using your email, Google account, Microsoft account, Facebook account, Clever, Canvas, or Schoology.
As a teacher, if you want to set up a class, take these steps:
- Log in as a teacher
- Click “Create a Section“
- Select your course (click Assign)
- Share the generated class code with your students
Below, you can view a sampling of the courses you can assign to your students. The filters allow you to search by Grade, Duration, Topic, Device, and Curriculum. Each course features engaging, game-like activities that teach fundamental programming concepts through puzzles, challenges, and creative projects.
Another option for students is to complete their own activities without having the courses assigned by a teacher. Here is a sample of the activities that students can try independently. While these examples are for elementary students, individual activities are available for all grades to complete independently.
Projects can be accessed from the main page and do not require any registration to play. There are projects available for all levels. Below, view sample projects for all grades.
One final area you will want to explore (or perhaps even begin with) is the Hour of Code activities. Hour of Code games can be done anytime, not just during the official event in December. These short activities offer a great introduction to coding and an engaging way to excite students to learn computer science.
Classroom Implementation Ideas:
Code.org is a non-profit organization that provides a free, comprehensive platform for teaching and learning computer science through interactive coding activities, courses, and curriculum resources for K-12 students. It offers engaging block-based and text-based programming environments designed to make coding accessible to all students, regardless of background or prior experience. Below, we share 10 ideas for using Code.org with your students.
- Hour of Code Challenges—Introduce coding with Code.org’s one-hour activities featuring popular themes like Minecraft, Star Wars, and Frozen. These self-contained lessons require minimal preparation and provide an engaging entry point for students of all ages. They are perfect for Computer Science Education Week or as a special activity anytime.
- Unplugged Activities – Incorporate Code.org’s screen-free activities to teach computational thinking without computers. These kinesthetic lessons involve movement, manipulating physical objects, and collaborative problem-solving, making them ideal for diverse learning styles and limited-technology environments.
- Coding Clubs—Establish before/after-school coding clubs using the Code.org curriculum. The platform’s structured progression allows students to advance at their own pace while exploring creative projects. Teachers can monitor progress remotely while encouraging peer collaboration and mentorship.
- Assessment Tools – Teachers can use the free educator account to track student progress and understanding in the classroom or remotely.
- Game Lab – Students can use the Game Lab to build a simple, playable video game. They can design the characters, code interactions, and add sound effects.
- Cross-Curricular Project Integration – Connect coding to other subjects by having students create projects that demonstrate learning across disciplines. For example, students might program animations explaining mathematical concepts, interactive stories for language arts, or simulations of historical events using Code.org’s project labs.
- Differentiated Learning Stations – Create classroom stations with different Code.org activities based on skill level. Advanced students can work on more complex challenges while beginners master fundamentals, allowing all students to experience appropriate levels of challenge and success within the same class period.
- End-of-Unit Digital Showcases – Replace traditional assessments with Code.org project showcases where students demonstrate understanding through interactive programs they’ve created. These digital exhibitions can be shared with parents, administrators, and the broader school community to celebrate student achievement.
- Digital Storytelling Projects – Depending on the grade level, have students create interactive stories by coding them using Sprite Lab or App Lab.
- Computer Science Career Exploration – Use Code.org’s industry connection videos and career path resources to help students explore how coding skills translate to various professions. Have students research and present on different technology careers that interest them, connecting classroom learning to future possibilities.
Additional Video Tutorials and Articles:
Looking for more ways to integrate Code.org into your classroom? These videos and articles provide expert insights and practical guidance to help you get started
- TeachersFirst Review: Code.org
- Video: Getting Started with Code.org: Creating a Classroom Section
- Video: Getting Started with Code.org: Student Experience
- Video Collection: Code.org: Computer Science is Everything
Code.org has transformed computer science education, making it accessible and engaging for students and teachers alike. Whether you’re exploring Hour of Code, creating full-year lesson plans, or empowering students with real-world coding projects, this platform provides everything you need. Ready to bring Code.org into your classroom? Start exploring today! Have you used Code.org in your lessons? Share your activities and ideas in the comments below—we’d love to hear how you integrate coding into your classroom!