NUI Galway said it experienced “huge numbers” attending the first-ever Galway CoderDojo held on campus recently which aims to teach young people how to code.
Web technologies covered at CoderDojo Galway include HTML, CSS and Javascript, along with programming languages, such as Scratch.
In future classes, it will cover other languages, such as Python and Java, as well as databases, mobile apps and games.
The event is free and will take place each Saturday from 12-3:30pm with groups in both the DERI building in IDA Business Park and in Lab 102 in the Information Technology Building at NUI Galway. Interested parties should bring lunch, a laptop if they have one and attendees under 12 must bring a parent along.
“We are very excited to have CoderDojo come to Galway,” said Dr Michael Madden, head of Discipline of Information Technology at NUI Galway.
“It is vital for young people to understand how our digital world works, and CoderDojo provides a unique environment to exchange knowledge and learn from each other how to write software, particularly in the absence of a computer science curriculum in secondary schools,” he said.
Next generation of digital creators
NUI Galway’s Community Knowledge Initiative (CKI) is also supporting this CoderDojo and is looking for volunteers, particularly IT students, who will assist and supervise young people during classes. They will be presented with an ALIVE certification as recognition for their work.
“Illiteracy of the 21st century will not be those who cannot just read and write but those who cannot program and code. CoderDojo seeks to address this deficit,” said Adrian Bannon, an organiser of CoderDojo.
Brendan Smith, education officer at the Digital Enterprise Research Institute (DERI) of NUI Galway believes the high attendance of last weekend’s CoderDojo registration shows an appetite among the public for young students to learn the skills needed to “transform Ireland from a nation of digital users into a nation of digital creators.”
“Thankfully, CoderDojo also proves that there is also an army of volunteer mentors drawn from the third-level education sector, industry and elsewhere who are prepared to give their time free of charge to help educate our children in computer coding,” said Smith.
Interested parties must register before attending by emailing CoderDojo Galway at coderdojogalway@gmail.com or by visiting the CoderDojo website.
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