Coding academies teach kids language of the future
The Flemish innovation minister has recently allocated much-needed funds to four initiatives that teach programming skills to children
Do you speak Python?
As the world becomes ever more digitised, employers are looking for people with specific ICT skills. It’s not a coincidence that big-data analysts and social media experts are among the most sought-after employees.
But children in primary and secondary schools only get a few hours a week of computer science, often from teachers who grew up in the pre-internet era and lack basic computer knowledge, such as what a microprocessor is.
Responding to the challenge, Flemish innovation minister Philippe Muyters recently launched an ambitious action plan to strengthen digital literacy among the region’s youth. The plan, to be rolled out in four stages, is aimed at extracurricular activities, but the minister hopes to broaden it to regular education within the next five years.
“Basic knowledge of computer science is essential in our digital world,” says Muyters. “I find it crucial that as many of our youngsters as possible learn how to work with ICT applications, and are also able to grasp the systems that operate them.”
Coaching, not teaching
As part of the plan, Muyters is freeing up funds for four existing initiatives. “Flanders already has some wonderful projects that teach computer skills to youngsters outside school hours,” he says. “We’re giving those initiatives a much-needed boost.”
Among the programmes receiving the funding is the network of Stem academies, co-ordinated by Mechelen’s hands-on science centre Technopolis. The academies organise events that promote interest in science, technology, engineering and maths among young people. Youngsters play with electrodes, chemical substances or even DNA, without realising they’re actually learning how science and engineering works.
We coach in a very playful and informal way that responds to the demands and needs of the children
The plan also provides funding for a new academy dedicated to information and communications technology. It will be managed by CoderDojo, a non-profit initiative that teaches children skills such as programming, writing apps and games and building websites.
Every month, with the help of some 300 volunteers, the organisation hosts free workshops, called Dojos, at more than 60 locations across the country. “We’ve been around since 2013,” says community leader Bettina Steylaerts, “but thanks to the funds we can plan even more workshops this year and increase the number of coaches and volunteers.”
A Dojo workshop is unlike any traditional classroom. “The focus isn’t on teaching but coaching,” explains Steylaerts. “We coach in a very playful and informal way that responds to the demands and needs of the children.”
Dojo risin’
At the beginning of every workshop children formulate their own questions and work together on a solution, or get help from the coaches. “Most of these coaches are volunteers,” says Steylaerts, “but they have strong professional or even academic skills in information technology.”
How is Dojo different from a crash course in app development? “We’re definitely more than just a large computer club,” says Steylaerts. “Programming and coding is of course the main component here, but encouraging problem-solving and computational thinking is just as important.”
We can’t risk the digital natives of today becoming the illiterates of tomorrow
The workshops also put emphasis on more general skills like communication, creativity and collaboration. These skills, Steylaerts says, “are becoming increasingly important in the digital and global society that we live in”.
Those looking for a more traditional and structured programming education can turn to CodeFever, a start-up founded two years ago that offers in-depth courses to children 12 and under. As part of Muyters’ plan, the organisation will receive €1,000,000 to teach programming to 10,000 children over the next five years.
The courses will be provided outside school hours, in several cities in Flanders. “Programming is really the basis of our course,” says CodeFever’s founder, Katelijne Duerinck. “First we teach children to think about how algorithms calculate – by iteration, sequence, choices and variables. Then they apply these basic skills to build apps and websites using programming tools and languages like Scratch, Python and Alice.”
Duerinck is convinced that programming will soon become as important as reading or writing. “ICT for children and youngsters has to mean more than just computer games, despite their educational value,” she says. “We can’t risk the digital natives of today becoming the illiterates of tomorrow just because they don’t understand computer code.”
Photo courtesy CodeFever
