Unplugged Coding - the answer for Coding and Robotics in our schools
Dear President Ramaphosa
[Also sent to Department of Basic Education and Department of Science and Technology]
I am inspired and emboldened to write you this letter after doing 10 training sessions for educators across our country and Namibia. The focus of the training is unplugged coding (coding without computers). With 4 additional online workshops, we have reached over 500 educators. This follows on 4 years spent in rolling out an internationally acclaimed project (originating at Nelson Mandela University Computing Sciences), introducing learners to coding without computers. With this project we have reached over 20000 learners directly.
I want to keep this short, so here are a few bullets in reflection:
- I fully support your drive to introduce coding and robotics to learners from a young age
- Any plans to do this, which makes the use of computers a prerequisite, will simply widen the digital divide, and not narrow it.
- Therefore I honestly believe the draft curricula for Grades R to 7 must be totally revamped to be 100% implementable using unplugged coding.
After seeing the teachers’ response, I am convinced that our university’s TANKS Coding Project is a solution from Africa for Africa. Combined with other unplugged activities, this can make a huge impact in our schools.
Quotes from teachers who attended the training
“Please approach the Department of Basic Education and formally introduce Unplugged Coding. This will be of great help because not all schools will afford the technical/technological equipment needed for Coding.”
“If possible, if the national office will buy into this idea (Unplugged Coding) of presenting C&R to our learners, we will make teachers more positive for the new subject. It will even boost their moral since learning will take place through play and in groups. Learners learn faster if they can play and have fun.”
Ready to make a difference in our schools.
Regards
Prof Jean Greyling
Associate Professor
Department of Computing Sciences
Nelson Mandela University
041 5042081 – 0835544183
Wandering to the beat of my own drum
3 年May I republish in MyGqeberha.com as a letter to the Editor?
International Funding & Business Development Professional
3 年Anita Palmer - please read/share. L
Catalyzing Digital Literacy and Lasting Impact for Thousands of Youth Across Africa| STEAM Education books Author and a key note speaker | Let Us Empower Your Community by Setting Up STEAM Education Programs
3 年This email should go viral. Please send to all presidents in Africa if not the entire world ?? Good job Jean. I'm keen to explore coding without computers.
Startup Consultant, Author & Digital Trainer for Entrepreneurship Education (EU/SADC)
3 年Well done, Jean Greyling! You are definitely ready to make a difference to schools across Africa. Hope you get a response from Cyril Ramaphosa and other important people who are in charge of bridging the digital divide in South Africa. Keep up your great work and sharing it on many platforms.