Peter Flemming started a coding club at Greatlakes Library with 14 children aged 8-11 using free curriculum from Code Club. The club uses Scratch, a visual programming language, to introduce coding concepts in a fun way for beginners through drag and drop blocks. While BYOD devices and varying skill levels pose challenges, the club has been successful in sparking the children's interest, with some members starting their own coding clubs and one winning a competition prize.
2. Background
Worked in IT for over 20 years
Library Computer Systems
Coordinator at the former Great Lakes
Library Service
Taught IT at TAFE for 4 years
Qualifications in computer
programming
3. Experiences
◦ Why Code Club
Free
Nationwide network
100+ hours of free curriculum
Scratch, HTML & CSS and Python
4. Experiences
◦ Started with 14 children between 8 –
11years old – now have 6.
◦ Up to 3 helpers at the start
◦ 4 – 5 children per helper
5. Experiences
Scratch is a great way to start
◦ Based on a visual language designed for
kids
◦ Drag and drop blocks of code
◦ Don’t need to worry about syntax
◦ Create, share, remix and collaborate
◦ Kids love it
6. Experiences
Projector to show work
Need to complete the projects yourself
HTML & CSS a great way to introduce
writing code
Looking at robotics after completing all
the projects
7. Challenges
BYOD devices
Internet access - Wi-Fi
Getting started the first day
Catering to the different levels
Where too after this?
9. Successes
Filled up first club within 2 weeks
Some of the club members tried
starting their own code club at school
A club member went to a school
holiday activity at the Powerhouse
Museum
A club member entered a Code Club
competition and won a prize
The fun the kids are having coding