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FREE Learn to Code for Kids [7-17 years] with Australian Computer Society (Melbourne)

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CoderDojo sessions are set up and run by technically skilled volunteers with relevant teaching and computer programming experience. The sessions are designed to be informal and fun for children where they are encouraged to help and teach one another, aiding them to become confident in learning their new computer skills.

The ACS Southbank sessions will run fortnightly from 4.30-6.00pm starting Thursday 18th August. Currently there are only 15 spots available, so advance bookings are required. It is advised that attendees bring a laptop with Wi-Fi access and that parents are present for the entire session. It is also advised that families are informed prior that photographs or video footage may be taken during these sessions for promotion purposes.

If you would like to learn more about the CoderDojo program, you can find out more information on the CoderDojo website - https://coderdojo.com/start-a-dojo/

All inquiries about being a volunteer or being involved email [email protected] or call Kelly on 9249 6711

There is one today 6th Oct at 4.30pm - run every 2 weeks until 1st Dec, if you cannot attend today

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closed Comments

  • Why no such programs in Sydney?

  • +2

    My daughter is interested in trying coding but the City is a bit far. Would be good if there was something in Melb SE somewhere.

    The website doesn't say what kinds of things are covered. I see images of makerbots etc..

    • My personal suggestion is to buy a Raspberry Pi and install kano.

      • yeah got one.. Also got a pc with scratch installed on it.. I think she would benefit from being in an environment that she could learn more about it. It's all pretty daunting for a newby. I haven't looked into it enough to assist or make it interesting. I haven't heard of Kano. I'll have to look into that. Thanks.

        • Kano is great because it is guided and teaches programming through:
          * modifying games (pong, snake)
          * scripting games (minecraft)
          * playing (terminal mud)
          * art (logo)
          * music

          My kids were able to work through most of the exercises with only a little help.

    • +6

      My daughter is interested in trying coding

      If they're around 6-12 yo… Look at Scratch… www.scratch.mit.edu

      • Yeah Installed the PC-based scratch. Also got the one on Pi. Kids I think go in excited but are ill-equipt to learn it without some guidance. My daughter got a coding book with some instructional programs in it but she's only 10 and needs somebody to teach her.

        • Some schools are starting to teach it and some local community centres are running coding classes…

      • Yep, my local primary school has an after school code club where they go through Scratch projects for a couple of terms and now looking at Creating their own website using raw HTML / CSS

    • +1

      Realm library in Ringwood has recently started a CoderDojo and has a session that runs every three weeks on a Saturday 10am-1pm if you're close.

    • Swift Playgrounds (if you have an iOS device)

    • I'm in the SE as well and interested. I wonder if its possible to get the material and go through it with my kids?

  • These are always free, they've been running for a while now.

    This belongs in the forums…

  • +2

    It is advised that attendees bring a laptop with Wi-Fi access and that parents are present for the entire session

    Wouldn't this be mandatory that parents are present or do all the people there have a working with children check as required by law ???

    • Not sure JV, will check it out later tonight.

      • +2

        it's definitely required if the parents aren't present…

        some schools are now insisting that parents have a working with children check if they want to attend excursions.

        definitely would want to be sure that someone with a 'prior history' is not attending these sessions…

        • I sense sarcasm but I'm not sure. What a world we live in.. <when I was a child remark>
          Why would it be required that parents are present or a working with children check is done?

        • +1

          @fruit:

          Why would it be required that parents are present or a working with children check is done?

          It's the law

          It includes volunteers too…
          http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/home/about+the+che…

        • @jv: Going to need a citation.

        • +2
        • -1

          @jv: Where does it say if you volunteer with kids you must have the check?

        • +2

          @fruit:

          Where does it say if you volunteer with kids you must have the check?

          Here….

          S. 3(1) def. of work
          inserted by No. 66/2014 s. 6(4).
          (c) work engaged in as a volunteer, including engaging in unpaid community work under a community or treatment order—

        • -1

          @jv: Thanks, TIL. Never knew. Though I don't work with kids and rather stay away from those whiny things.

        • +2

          @fruit:

          Penalty is Two years imprisonment, a fine of 240 penalty units* or both.

          The exemptions are mainly, children, teachers, police officers, parents and direct relatives… everyone else needs a Working With Children Check, even Catholic priests !!!

        • +3

          @jv: don't you mean especially Catholic priests :p

        • @fruit:

          I had to get a working with children check for volunteering with Vinnies. It's the rules, mate.

    • All of the volunteers have the working with children check :)

    • +1

      Hi JV,

      I run this event, all our volunteers have to have a WWC (including me and my other colleague who occasionally walks through the room and helps out) and the parents are asked to stay for the session.

      • great stuff…

  • -7

    Coding is cool but don't think you are doing to make money off it these classes are just a way for Big Tech to keep pretending that there is a skill shortage which there isn't.

    • +9

      It's not any different to learning reading, writing and arithmetic.

      Coding teaches kids about logic, perseverance, creativity, team work, resilience, determination… Is there a skill shortage for those traits ???

      • -6

        Wow that's a lot of coolaid right there.

      • +3

        Agreed jv, well said

    • To some extend ACS has the moral obligation to promote IT/Coding among kids (for its own survival), especially these days when everyone want to be a Doctor or a Lawyer !

      • +3

        ACS is an irrelevant body which just 'certifies' people with skills for Visa purposes. No one who is in the field and knows their stuff joins this mob. It's a racket.

        • Not realy. I've been in this field for 30 years and I'm a member and get a lot out of it. Very good for networking oportunities plus a lot of other benifits such as free $10M public liability and indemnity insurance for members earning less than $100k, legislated profesional certification with maximum liability cap. Also unlike other profesional organisations they are not money hungry a lot of their events are free for members.

        • @jpcw:

          and get a lot out of it.

          free insurance is good…

  • Also try the Microsoft youthspark programs https://www.microsoft.com/about/philanthropies/youthspark/yo…

    • Learn Microsoft Office???

      Can't see my kids jumping out of bed to do that…

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