features
Constantly facing a computer screen will not help them
develop their human skills.
2. Computers do not belong in the classroom
As you can imagine, there is a lot to argue on the matter.
Some people believe that computers don’t belong
in classrooms as they dilute the interaction between
teacher and student. The internet becomes a source of
distraction for kids and memorisation skills weaken without
handwritten notes.
3. Computer coding is too advanced
Some argue that computer coding is too advanced for
children. It is too complex and requires too many binary
patterns. They believe the concepts are too difficult and
require a very thorough multi-tasking ability, which young
children don’t have just yet.
4. Computer coding is not the key to success
“What will make kids successful in this tech-driven world
is whether they can think – creatively, innovatively, and
expansively – and that is accomplished through free,
unstructured play” says Jim Taylor, PhD, Author of Raising
Generation Tech: Preparing Your Child for a Media-Fuelled
World. He believes that there is a specific time and place to
learn to code, and that early coding isn’t the answer.
While coding may not be perceived as future academic
and career success for everyone, it’s important to bear
in mind that times and mentalities have changed. In other
words, to argue that computers do not belong in a classroom
– or that coding is too advanced for kids – is perhaps a
reflection of traditional thinking. Chances are, if you ask a
kid if he would prefer using a computer at school, he would
immediately say “yes” with motivation and enthusiasm. Using
computers is meant to make students more eager to learn,
give them more freedom to express themselves, and to figure
out what they are good at.
In this day and age, a child’s knowledge of coding will be
useful, regardless of which career path he/she may choose
to take. Specifically, in Hong Kong, kids have more access
to coding – perhaps because it is one of the world’s best
wired cities or simply because of the number of coding
classes readily available in the city. Computer coding can
be applicable anywhere – as it is simply the magic behind
any form of technology. Mitch Resnick, in his Ted Talk, Let’s
Teach Kids to Code said “Kids are not learning to code,
they’re coding to learn.” This quote sums it up exactly: the
acknowledgment that coding will unfold into learning many
different things that your child would otherwise not have
learned. In other words, coding skills are not just technica l
they are life skills. Just be sure to respect your child’s pace
and show support throughout the process. Embrace it – let
today’s consumer become the future creator!
Coding Classes in Hong Kong
Koding Kingdom
Offering classes and holiday camps for children
from the age of four, Koding Kingdom is dedicated
to teaching students the fundamentals of computer
coding in a fun and interactive environment.
www.kodingkingdom.com
First Code Academy
Through an age-appropriate curriculum with
a combination of concepts and project-based
learning, students build a solid foundation
knowledge and acquire STEM, coding, and design
thinking skills. https://hk.firstcodeacademy.com
Creative Coding
Creative Coding offers fun STEAM based courses
which are thoughtfully designed. Children will also
explore coding through robotics, using a Design
First approach to teach them design thinking and
problem solving. www.creativecoding.hk
Coding101
Coding101 was established by a group of IT and
education professionals who aim at providing the
best quality STEM and coding education to school
children, offering many workshops from robotics to
coding to Minecraft education. www.coding101.hk
BSD Academy
BSD Academy focuses on making technology
an enabler for youth, teaching multiple coding
languages to build games, websites and robots.
https://hk.bsdacademy.com
Tynker
Tynker, where millions have learned to code, teaches
children to make apps and games, fly drones, learn
Python, and so much more. Offering workshops for
all levels of experience from the age of seven.
www.tynker.com
Dalton Learning Lab
Dalton Learning Lab offers courses involving
STEAM for children aged four-13, with an emphasis
on developing useful, future-ready skills applicable
to the real world. All courses are taught by real
professionals under the guidance of professional
educators. www.daltonlearninglab.com
June 2018
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