Our objective isn’t just to teach technical skills but to transform every child into a curious, self-motivated learner. We know that in order to achieve that objective, how kids learn matters as much – if not more – than what they learn. So after a lengthy redesign process and live trials, we’re ready to roll this out to kids staying home to weather this circuit breaker!

Come behind the scenes with Rocket Launchers Swe and Chrys to find out why we’re excited about the potential of this medium, and what kids can learn while adapting to the new normal this May.

Hi Rocket Launchers! Learning to code online might be new for most kids – what kind of changes should they expect from our offline coding camps?

Swe: 

“We’re starting with a selection of coding camps for both beginners and seasoned kid coders ages 7-14! This includes foundational courses in Scratch and Python for kids with no programming background, as well as an intermediate, application-focused course for kids already familiar with Scratch, who are hungry to take their skills to the next level.

In redesigning our courses to go online, curation has been really important.

For example, in Back to Basics: From Zeroes to Python Heroes, we’ve reduced the content about electronics, in favour of a deeper dive into understanding programming concepts that teach kids how computers work.” 

Chrys:

“In Start with Scratch: Your Adventure Begins Here, some physical activities might have to be replaced with digital alternatives.

But with the help of various tools we’re recreating the same fun, supportive, and curious space where curiosity is encouraged, and it’s fine to make mistakes!”

Could you give us a sneak peek into what the online coding camps look like?

Swe:

“To encourage kids to learn through play, and we draw on interactive web technologies to teach abstract concepts. An example is using an interactive web animation of light bulbs to get the kids to play with representing decimal numbers in binary numbers, like computers do.

Most of class time consists the teacher demonstrating the practical aspects of programming, facilitating discussions, and helping kids try out different challenges – just like in our regular classrooms.”

It can be hard keeping kids engaged while you’re not in the same space! How will you overcome that?

Swe:

“Based on observations from our trials, we’re leveraging digital instruments to integrate structured discussions and individualised support. It might be different from what they’re used to, but at the end of the day, kids will learn to communicate better, and generally learn better.”

Chrys:

“Many have the pre-conceived notion that online learning can’t be interactive, but that’s not an inherent limitation. Interactivity and communication can be designed into a lesson, whether it’s online or offline. 

Tools aside, what makes a class interactive is the instructor and how they respond to their students and situations. They’ll need two or three times the energy to conduct an online class, and more than ever we’ll be emphasising the importance of the human touch.

Also, it’s not necessarily easy or natural for kids to spend hours in front of a computer screen learning. So we’ve built regular screen breaks into our classes, with a special Saturday Kids twist! You’ll have to join one of our camps to see what we mean, but here’s a clue: it involves music and movement!”

What’s exciting about this new medium of learning?

Chrys:

“As a teacher, I see this as an opportunity to redefine what education and learning mean, by centering the online learning experience around kids’ innate curiosity, and using the online platform not just to impart content, but to cultivate kids’ inventiveness and resourcefulness. 

Through this, we’d also like to challenge others to think about the future of education and what it might look like.

For example in our new 8-hour course Journeys in Scratch: Create Your World with Code, kids work build on what they’ve learned by applying their knowledge to intermediate projects in Scratch. The learning takes place largely through them connecting the dots between what they want to achieve and what they need to know to get there.”

Swe:

“These are uncertain but exciting times – kids are getting a taste of what remote work is like, and that is likely the kind of work they will do in the future. Our team at Saturday Kids mostly operates remotely, and I’m excited to share a small slice of our work culture with the kids.”

What advice do you have for kids who might not know what to expect from their first online coding class at Saturday Kids?

Swe:

“This isn’t going to be a one-way lecture! Expect to communicate a lot, to learn to communicate better, and to participate actively in their own learning.”  

Chrys:

“Come with an open mind and have fun with your classmates and instructor!”

. . .

This May school holiday, change the way you see the world with code because we’re bringing some of our most popular coding camps for kids online and into your home! We’ve got 8 and 16 hour creative coding courses for kids ages 7-14 – learn more and sign up here on our site.

The post Behind the Scenes of our Online Coding Camps for Kids appeared first on Saturday Kids | Coding, Digital Literacy for Kids & Parents.

Code x Design – Visit Our Pop-Up Location At Chip Bee Gardens In Collaboration With District Design Dialogue

District Design Dialogue (DDD) is an annual experiential platform dedicated to the discussion, exchange and execution of design dialogues, and is happening as part of the Singapore Design Week 2018. We are stoked to be partnering with them and will be having a pop-up at one of their spaces (The Playground @ 26 Jalan Kelabu Asap) for the entire week of Mar 10-18 where we’ll be holding a series of holiday camps and workshops. Our friends at DDD have put together a pretty awesome program, including an opening street party on March 10, plus we’ll be launching a series of new 2-hour workshops on that day (more below), extra fun if you register for the workshops on that day!

Where: The Playground, 26 Jalan Kelabu Asap, Singapore 278219 (Holland Village)
When: Workshops and camps run all day from Mar 10-18. Registration required. Full schedule available here.
How much: Ranges from $90-$150 for the 2-hour workshops, to $660 for a 5-day camps.

Learn How To Build A Robo-Pet

Interested to build your own Robo-Pet? We have that covered. There’ll be a series of hands-on 2-hour workshops for kids (pre-registration required). Get your kid to engage with some basic engineering and the design-thinking process in a hands on way and encourages them to learn by doing by using a combination of the Hummingbird Robotics Kit and some craft materials to build a working electronic model of an animal that they’re inspired by.

Where: The Playground, 26 Jalan Kelabu Asap, Singapore 278219
When: Bukit Timah, East Coast and Chip Bee Gardens Pop-up.
How much: Build Your Own Robo-Pet workshop cost $90 (Hummingbird Kit available for purchase if the kid/parents wish to bring home the robotic pet). Register here.

Let Your Preschooler (5-6 Years Old) Explore The Wonders Of Tech!

Ever been asked questions by your preschooler like “What are computer images made of? “How do robots move from one place to another?”. Introducing Curious Cubs, one of our newest camps designed especially for preschoolers. Explore a series of 4 immersive experiences geared at inspiring and engaging kids, developing their curiosity about tech, and building an understanding of basic computer science and electronics concepts through creative and fun projects!

Where: The Playground, 26 Jalan Kelabu Asap, Singapore 278219
When: Camp commencing Mar 12 (Only 1 camp available, limited seats left)
How much: 8-hour camp @ $350. Register here.

Paint Your Dreams In 3D

Create your own virtual world with the Oculus Rift, our newest tech gadget in the house!! Have your kid be part of an amazing 2-hour experience in the virtual world! They’ll learn to draw and create using Tilt Brush by Google and paint their dreams in 3D!

Where: Multiple locations – Bukit Timah Plaza, Parkway Centre, Chip Bee Gardens Pop-Up (26 Jalan Kelabu Asap)
When: Multiple timings (2-hour / workshop)
How much: $150. Register here.

Build Your Own Mobile Apps

Have you ever thought “Hey I wish there was an app for that!” ? You surely have because mobile apps are a huge part of our everyday lives; there are tons of gaming apps which we loving playing with but there are many more which help us make our lives easier. Through a mix of free-form exploration and structured learning, kids will build an app that’ll make a difference. For the beginners, we’ve got the beginners camp available. Done it before? Fret not, continue your learning with us during our Term Program!

Where: Chip Bee Gardens Pop-up (26 Jalan Kelabu Asap, Singapore 278219)
When: Camp commencing Mar 13 (Only 1 camp available)
How much: 8-hour camp @ $350. Register here.

Combine Learning To Code With A Time Travel Adventure

What did the Incas, Vikings, San and Sumerians have in common? They lived in the past for one, but they also had none of our modern-day technology to help them. Life must have been tough but perhaps it would have been easier if they had our knowledge of code to help them! Using Scratch, kids learn to code solutions to problems faced by these ancient civilizations and explore ways of using programming to help people. This is our most popular programming course for kids 7-13 years old and highly recommended for anyone with no experience to begin with this.

Where: Multiple locations – Bukit Timah Plaza, Parkway Centre, Chip Bee Gardens ( 26 Jalan Kelabu Asap)
When: Multiple camps throughout the week
How much: 8-hour camps @ $350, 16-hour camps @$590. Register here.

…

That’s not all. Be sure to check out the other popular camps such as littleBits x Design Thinking, micro:Bits, Mod Your Minecraft, and Python. And for the curious ones who want more, take the learning beyond the holidays with our weekly workshops (commencing right after the holidays).

We’ve got tons of new things in store for you in 2018 and this is but a small part of it. Check us out at  https://www.saturdaykids.com/ and get in touch ([email protected]) if you have any questions!

See you this March!

The post This March School Holiday, Explore The World Of Tech, Art And Design With Saturday Kids appeared first on Saturday Kids | Coding, Digital Literacy for Kids & Parents.