Why CodeJoy Works

Research shows that extended, intensive professional development is strongly associated with lasting changes in teachers' practice and student outcomes. Quick, one-shot workshops rarely stick—but sustained learning does.

CodeJoy's standard 9-hour model spreads learning across multiple sessions, giving teachers time to absorb, practice, and reflect. Between live Zoom sessions, teachers complete hands-on "homework" activities that reinforce what they learned in class. This combination of synchronous instruction and asynchronous application—plus a resource-rich learning document for ongoing reference—ensures teachers have the extended engagement needed to build real confidence and skills.

"You learn so much during the 9 hours to give you the confidence to explore and extend your knowledge on your own after each Zoom session."

— Shawn Dzielawa, Greystone Elementary School, West Chester Area School District, Pennsylvania

Teachers are more likely to adopt new practices when they actually do those practices during their learning—not just hear about them. Sitting through slide presentations do not build skills; hands-on experience do.

In CodeJoy sessions, teachers don't just watch—they code, build, and create right alongside the instructor. During live virtual sessions, participants write real code, download programs to their devices, test and debug, cut and glue cardboard, and then go play with what they've made. Built-in reflection time helps teachers connect their hands-on experience to classroom implementation. It's learning by doing, not learning by listening.

"I really enjoyed having a PD course that was very interactive. It's 100% worth your time. You will learn some fun stuff from an awesome team to bring to your school and classrooms."

— Eric Kress, STEM Coding Lab, Pennsylvania

PD works best when it connects to what teachers already do—aligning with state standards, building on existing knowledge, and fitting into real classroom practice. Disconnected, one-off trainings rarely translate to lasting change.

CodeJoy courses are intentionally designed to align with standards teachers are already expected to teach, including CSTA, NGSS, NAAEE, and state-specific frameworks like Pennsylvania's STEELS. Activities connect coding and robotics to math, science, environmental literacy, and other content areas—giving teachers clear entry points for integration. Teachers don't leave wondering "how would I even use this?" They leave with ready-to-implement lessons that fit their curriculum.

"Fun, simple, and quick lessons that are engaging for students of all ages."

— Theron Nesbitt, Millington Community Schools, Michigan

Effective teaching requires more than knowing what to teach—it requires knowing how to teach it well. PD that addresses both content knowledge and content-specific pedagogy leads to stronger adoption of new practices in the classroom.

CodeJoy's approach puts teachers into "mock lessons" where they experience activities as learners first. While building their own skills with micro:bits, Hummingbird robots, or AI tools, teachers simultaneously observe effective CS pedagogy in action—things like unplugged activities, scaffolded challenges, and strategies for supporting diverse learners. Teachers don't just leave knowing how to use the tools; they leave knowing how to teach with them.

"I learned a lot from the teaching methods as well as the information."

— Caitlin Jackson, Five Points West Regional Library, Birmingham Public Library, Alabama

Learning is inherently social. Research shows that when teachers learn together—especially with more knowledgeable peers who can offer just-in-time support—they're more willing and able to implement what they've learned in their own classrooms.

Even though CodeJoy sessions are virtual with participants joining from across the country, collaboration is built into every session. Teachers work together in breakout rooms for focused discussion and problem-solving, share their projects on collaborative Padlets, engage in whole-group dialogue, and get real-time support through active chat facilitated by additional instructors. It's not isolated screen time—it's a genuine learning community.

"The use of breakout rooms with an additional instructor was fantastic and it was done so well."

— Shannon Ziegler, Lower Dauphin School District, Pennsylvania

Without ongoing support, it's easy for teachers to fall back into old habits rather than implement new strategies. Follow-up resources and continued access help bridge the gap between PD and classroom practice.

CodeJoy ensures learning doesn't end when the Zoom session does. Teachers retain access to comprehensive, hyperlinked learning documents packed with resources, tutorials, and extension activities. Session recordings allow teachers to revisit content whenever needed. And throughout the school year, CodeJoy offers free Student Shows—live virtual events where teachers can bring their classes to code alongside CodeJoy instructors, reinforcing what teachers learned and keeping momentum going in the classroom.

"The learning document was extremely helpful and I love that I have access to this outside of the PD sessions."

— Jessalyn Saunders, Wake County Public Schools, North Carolina

Live, Interactive, and Unforgettable. Student Shows are the heart of CodeJoy. Think of them as a live, fully interactive TV show—broadcast directly into classrooms from our Pittsburgh studio. Students write real code during the show, then watch as their code controls cardboard robot characters live on screen. It's coding made magical.

No barriers to entry. Students don't need robots, special software, or prior experience—just an internet connection. A single show can engage up to 400 participants simultaneously, from one classroom or an entire district.

Sparks that lead to flames. For many teachers, a Student Show is the first time they see their students light up about coding. That shared experience builds momentum—and often leads teachers to seek out professional development so they can keep the spark alive.

The engagement is real. During CSEdWeek 2024, CodeJoy hosted 15 Student Shows reaching 3,470 students and 165 teachers. Students created 9,821 codes and sent 50,574 live chats. That's not passive watching—that's active learning.

"Every single one of my students was engaged and loving every minute! They couldn't believe it was live!"

— Daniella Moya, Riverside USD, California