We all have been inspired by the video “What Most Schools Don’t Teach” where Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Jack Dorsey, and a number of other technology giants explain why coding has become a necessary skill in this day and age. The answer is that it teaches us how to develop computational thinking and understand how the things we use every day actually work. Fortunately, Turkish kids and teenagers now have an opportunity to learn coding for free at so-called “Dojos.” Recently Istanbul joined the large global movement named CoderDojo – free coding clubs and regular sessions for young people.
At Dojos, young people between the ages of 5 and 17 learn how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, games and more in a fun and sociable way. Dojos are set up, run and taught by volunteers. The mentors are called Ninjas. They are not teachers in the classical sense, because there is actually no syllabus or program. Ninjas provide kids with guidance and help for self-development.
First two days of CoderDojo gathered 13 kids and teenagers who enthusiastically clicked on the buttons and made funny characters on their screens move: 10 steps forward, 5 steps back, up and down. It all starts with basic understanding of motion.
“We don’t want to teach kids any specific programming language. Our goal is to make them understand the logic of coding. Right now we are using a free programming language called Scratch created by MIT for educational purposes. I also found some other drag-and-drop alternatives, so I think in 2 weeks they can start making their own Android applications,” said Cem Yıldız, a coder who owns a web-design company and dedicates a few hours a week to teaching kids at the Dojo.
Founded by James Whelton and Bill Liao in early 2011, CoderDojo so far has grown into global movement in 34 countries around the world. It was brought to Istanbul by a community organization called Stage-Co and is supported by Yazane Coworking Space.
“The reason behind bringing CoderDojo to Turkey is to promote young talent and help them discover their potential as early as possible. It’s very meaningful. You don’t have to wait until you’re 18 and go to university to start developing an application. The idea is to make this kind of knowledge more reachable,” said Patrick Bosteels, Stage-Co.
Coder Dojo Istanbul recently began with a 5 day run. Starting from February sessions will be held every Saturday from 10 am to 12 pm at Yazane Coworking Space. It’s necessary to register in advance and bring your own laptop. Kids under 12 must be accompanied by parents. For more information about upcoming Dojos visit their website.
According to Bosteels, CoderDojo Türkiye will soon take expand to the Asian side of Istanbul, İzmir and Eskişehir.
Bermet Mambetshaeva is a contributor to Yabangee
