King David Primary School Victory Park has introduced a new extramural activity, CodeSpace. In a bid to create a curriculum that equips their pupils with skills that will be relevant in the future, King David decided to teach coding. Today, pupils are facing a digital world in which digital literacy, the language of computers, is a must-have skill.
The school, partnering with Think Ahead, has initiated the activity for Grade 5 to 7. King David campus marketing manager Nirvana Rogers said,”We wanted to go beyond teaching academic subjects. The extramural is there for pupils who want to learn more and develop further skills.”
CodeSpace is designed to teach the basics of computer programming and computational thinking. Facilitators from Think Ahead work with the pupils to become creators of technology. Using block-based programming iPad apps, children apply coding basics to create their own games, art, animations and program robotic toys.” CodeSpace runs as a 10-week course and has a course fee,” explained Rogers.
Grobler during a CodeSpace session. Photo supplied.
Think Ahead facilitator Mineze Grobler said, “Coding is fast becoming the language of the 21st century and it is vital to ensure that children can read and write this new language. Coding helps children to develop critical thinking skills and problem-solving processes that are not only important in computer science, but also in life. It teaches them how to look at the bigger picture, and to break down big challenges into smaller and more manageable tasks.”
Grobler continued, “Think Ahead presents coding in a fun, relaxed environment where we encourage making mistakes and taking risks. Learning from your experience through collaboration and peer learning is the best way to learn. Children are literally writing their own futures and in doing so are preparing for jobs that doesn’t even exist yet.”
Details: Think Ahead, enquiries@thinkahead.co.za or 011 535 9000.
King David Victory Park Primary, 011 446 7870.
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