-->
In
my last Coderdojo computer coding class of 2013, I got all the participants
(parents and children) to build Christmas-themed computer applications.
But
first they had to create all the digital characters ('Avatars' or 'Sprites') by
hand using model clay or Mála in Irish!
Once that was finished, the participants digitised the little clay figurines
using a camera to upload to their computer and later onto their 'Scratch'
computer language applications. The clay models then becoming animated
characters within their very own computer festive game or digital story!
A
Holistic Approach to Learning
I
undertake this exercise, not only to make the computer coding lessons more
exciting, but to ensure that the participants continue to develop hands-on
artistic skills. For as educators, we must ensure our young people to develop a
holistic approach to life, to use their hands to make things out of solid
materials and not rely solely on using digital skills for a virtual world. With
this ethos, I host my classes very early on Saturday morning so that the
children can still attend outdoor team sporting activities such as hurling,
camogie, soccer and rugby. Likewise, I also ensure that parents are active
participants, leaning to code alongside their children, this encouraging
bonding with their sons and daughters. I also recommend adults to implement a
digital detox period in their homes. Maybe one night or even a few hours weekly
where all computers and internet connected devices are switched off.
Ireland’s
experiences a Digital Creative Revolution
There
has been a huge growth of interest and activity in computer programming in
Ireland over the last two years. We are last transforming our young people
from being passive Digital Users into active Digital Creators.
This
phenomena has resulted from the happy convergence of a number of factors:
The
free online availability of Scratch
Developed
by a team at MIT Media Lab in the USA, it has an easy-to-use structure based
around snapping together visual blocks of computer code that control sound,
music and images. Hence it is ideally suited to young people as it compliments
their artistic interests with a new digital dimension in order to create
computer games, animations and stories.
The
establishment of Coderdojo
Started
in Cork by James Whelton and Bill Liao, this volunteer-based computer club
movement has taken Ireland and not the world by storm with a presence in 27
countries. In Ireland, there are Coderdojos in nearly every major city and
town. Some clubs such as Athenry in county Galway have grown into high learning
centres providing a broad range of online tools and projects.
Third
Level Outreach Programmes
The
active participation by highly motivated and visionary third level
Outreach science and technology officers in promoting and organising computer
programming courses for schools across Ireland. Lero in Limerick and DERI (now
INSIGHT) in Galway have been particularly prominent in this regard. Since 2012,
Lero has worked with the Irish government in producing a syllabus for a
computer coding module that will be included in the revised national Junior
Certificate that will be introduced in 2014/2015. Whilst Lero concentrated on
teaching the teachers, DERI took their digital missionary zeal directly into
the classroom with an awareness of the need to embrace schools located far from
the urban technology corridors, in isolated rural areas or on remote islands.
Mentoring
from Industry and Colleges
The
high level of skilled mentoring that is now available from industry as well as
from third level colleges in assisting schools with computer coding classes has
seen a remarkable surge over the last two years. Most of the volunteers mentors
involved are young enthusiastic engineers and researchers, characteristics that
allow them to be viewed as positive role models by pupils and students of both primary
and post primary schools.
In
Galway, the Galway Education Centre, NUI Galway, GMIT, Aviya and Hewlett
Packard collaborated in rolling out coding courses to sixty one schools in
Galway and Mayo during the school year 2012/2013.
Government Introduces Coding into Schools for the first time
Finally
there has been a realization by the Irish government that computer programming
needs to become a subject in the second-level educational curriculum in order
to create a world class Knowledge Economy and Society.
Without
such digital skills being taught, there was/is a real danger that Ireland’s youth
will be educationally deprived of the skills needed to survive in and to shape
the 21st century. Too
many of the jobs being created in the vibrant IT sector in Ireland are being
filled by people imported from overseas.
Whilst at the same time, we are witnessing 1,500 young Irish people
emigrate weekly. The result was that the country was/is developing a two tiered
society, one in which the indigenous population could be concentrated in the
lower strata if nothing
fundamental changed in the schools system.
Young
Tech Savvy Government Ministers
Fortunately,
the present state Department of Education has a number of ministers that are
fully aware of this serious gap in the learning system and are doing something
about it. Sean Sherlock is doing a great job as the country’s first designated Minister
for Research and Innovation. Ciaran Cannon, Minister of State for Training and
Skills, has become an avid champion of the Irish coding movement. In his home
county of Galway, he is encouraging and working closely with partners in the
educational and commercials sectors including the Galway Education Centre,
leading edge corporations, COderdojos, GMIT and NUI Galway in developing Galway
as a vibrant hub of digital creativity of international significance.
Galway
Science and Technology Festival
Ireland’s
largest festival of science and technology is held annually in Galway. The two
week event ends with a fair in Galway university attended by circa 25,000
visitors that has become a showcase not only for locally based leading edge
biomedical, marine, IT corporation and indigenous industries but also for
schools and college projects.
