Time to get the ball rolling

[CoderdojoUCD]

Hi everyone,

I hope your summer has been good to you. As the academic year starts up again, it's time for us to knuckle down. A decision needs to me made about what CoderDojoUCD will be doing. Can we please get your suggestions and all decide? If a solid conclusion isn't arrived at, an executive decision will have to be made as to what's happening but I don't want it to come to that.

Currently, we're waiting to get information about the availability of the LearningLab in Comp Sci. One very big change this year is that Margaret will be unable to attend sessions as much as she used to so to ensure everything runs as smoothly as it has been, people need to start talking to one another and working together. Think of the children!

CoderDojo Limerick have a pretty cool looking plan for their next few Dojo sessions - perhaps we can model our upcoming Dojos on this? (see below)

Looking forward to hearing from you all.

CoderDojo Limerick: 

Scratch Workshops (for Parents that would like to be able to help out):

Clare.McInerney (lero) will be  running a Scratch Introductory training session at the University of Limerick on Saturday September 15th from 9:30 to 15:00. You may sign up for this free introductory course here:http://www.eventbrite.ie/event/4035273612. No previous experience of Scratch is required. Please bring your own laptop.

Animation Competition

We are looking for an animated Coderdojo logo. If you think you're up for the challenge then get started by taking the attached logo file and try animating it any way you can. We suggest you try a gif animation or a flash animation or maybe a web animation using css, we don't mind how or what you do with it, just get started and then email a copy to *****. The best entries will be submitted for the Intel Prize on 29th September.

Gaming Competition

On the horizon is a large scale coding competition, across all the Dojo's. Andrew Meaney has extensive experience working in the gaming industry and will be leading the development the Coder Dojo Evolution project, but serious work will not start until after the Intel Competition on the 29th September, and once we have kick started the forums online so everyone involved in the Coderdojo can get connected. Of course the Intel Coding competition is just hotting up and we have several potential entries from Cork alone. If you are interested in producing a small project such as a stickman game, a google map app, or anything else then contact your Mentor at your next Coderdojo session.

 

[James Crook]

Hi,

As a mentor I'm not so interested in the competitions, more so in helping out with anyone who is learning to program, with a strong preference for Scratch/BYOB as a first step.

I'd like to see tables that have different things happen at them.  For example working with images using free software at one table and working with sounds using free software at another.  I thought the table on 'inside a computer' worked well.  I also know that UCD has some Mindstorms lego for robotics and that would be good to see in actual use.  So - what I would like best is regular 'free form' sessions with Scratch/BYOB and as often as we can a table that people can visit where something special for that particular dojo session happens.  

If there is interest in working towards more advanced work, e.g.Apps for phones or 3D graphics, I can help make that happen, but I would want that to be completely optional, only for people who want to follow a path that works towards a particular goal. I'd like there to be more things going on in the room, rather than us following a single set lesson.

Is the plan to run on Fridays again, and when would the dojo be starting again?

--James

[jonathan byrne]

Hey,
I can get access to the CSI lego mindstorms if you want to use them for the class.
I'm going to be on holidays from the 5th to the 20th of September so ask me before then if you want to use them. The lessons from the previous dojos are still online at:
ucdcoderdojo.pbworks.com/w/page/52526305/FrontPage
regards
Jonathan

[Philip Harney]

I'm particularly interested in continuing on into a true programming language. Scratch is technically a fully-featured language, but it's restrictive. You can't make a phone app in there, and you would have a really hard time using external data sources, libraries, etc.

My feeling is that python is the best choice, since it's the most readable of the popular languages, has loosely typed variables and a minimum of strange characters to introduce. I think we could start with a simple game (maybe guessing higher or lower on a dice roll or something) and move into whatever direction the group wanted to go in.

Philip

[jonathan byrne]

I definitely think we need to get people started on python. There was talk of getting a course together but it didn't materialize. We can either use online material such as "learn python the hard way" or get something together on the wiki. Any volunteers?

[Liam Friel]

em, yes, well, I think the word on the street was that I would do that Python course for UCD.

And I would, indeed, like to do it, but in the short term I can't commit to being able to put the time into it as in the same timeframe I am starting the Bray dojo and running with our first set of sessions (HTML and CSS, naturellement) and getting our first location up and going and so on.

I will help you mentor it though. 

Splitting the room into different activities per table/several tables seems like a good idea, especially if you are going to get some complete newbies this time round.

--
--------

Liam Friel

mob: +353-86-8546660

twitter: @liamfriel | skype: liam.friel | linkedin: http://ie.linkedin.com/in/liamfriel

[jonathan byrne]

Hey,
Does anyone else want to get a lesson or two together? Otherwise we could just get them to work through this course. It is a slow approach but it doesn't leave any room for confusion.

Also an interesting question arose at the meet-up: do we want the parents sitting at the tables with the students? This is how we have done it at UCD but the school teachers we met were quite surprised by this approach. While it is helpful to keep the students focused it also meant there was less collaboration between the students. Do we want to keep going this way or try it without the parents?
regards
Jonathan

[Shane Mc Veigh]

Hi all,

I've actually noticed that too, that having parents at the tables seems to be stopping children from mixing as much as they could be.
Before we started, I pictured the children helping each other - once one child figured out how to do something he/she would show others at the table how to do it.

The help parents are giving is brilliant, and is needed for children starting off, but I think that children who are coming on a regular basis, who know how things work, and should be starting to recognise a few faces, should be left on their own so that the children can work among themselves. Ideally then, we would have peer learning/teaching happening among the regulars.

Children starting off probably could do with the help and support of parents being there, so I see no problem letting parents help while they're getting into the swing of things.

That's just my take on things!

Regards,
Shane McVeigh

[Aonghus]

Maybe we could couple the idea of seperating kids out with the idea of an advanced table, then? Could also leave spare parents to help out with the basic tasks, if they were willing, and net us some extra mentors.

Aonghus

[James Crook]

Let's try different things and see what works.

For the younger table (9 and below) having parents beside is REALLY valuable.  

I too like the idea of kids moving around, helping out and so on.

We need to manage space well, e.g have space where parents can check their e-mail, ideally have a cup of coffee, chat with other parents - or not -  not be stressed by demands being made on them.  So they are there if their child needs them, but only stepping in and helping if they feel like it.

We don't have a lot of flexibility of layout at UCD, but IF we can get enough mentors, maybe we can get an adjoining class room too and start varying the way we use the space.

--James.

[CoderdojoUCD]

Hello again,

Thanks for all your feedback! Two things of note: Firstly, we're going to take on board everything you've suggested and get back to you early next week with a proposed plan. 

Secondly and something which may have a big impact on the first point is this: The Learning Lab is no longer available at 5.30 on Fridays during either semester. We're able to run it from 6pm - 8pm. Is this time change okay with people? We need to know if people are happy to commit to the sessions.

Thanks again for such speedy replies.

Be in touch again soon,

Lucy

[Liam Friel]

6 is better.

Some of us have, you know, jobs and so forth ... :-)

[Caitriona Logue]

Hi everyone,

I am happy to help out again on the admin side and with the mentoring. 6pm - 8pm suits me fine. I am away at conferences on 7th September and 14th September but I can help out on the Fridays after that.

I agree that we should think about the way the space is managed. I like the idea of having a separate space for parents and this could encourage the kids to work together more. For the really young kids though, maybe we should stick with the current format. The feedback I've heard from regular attendees is that they really enjoy the sessions as they are, so it's worth keeping that in mind too.

[Shane Mc Veigh]

6 suits me better, and probably would for most students that may have class etc.

I'll be available to help with mentoring as soon as college starts, and possibly next Friday if need be.

Regards,
Shane

[James Crook]

6 suits me too.

I expect to be able to make 2 out of 3 sessions from September through to December.  If there is a 'lead mentor' for the room, I can keep them in the loop of when I will and won't be able to come.  I usually will know 10 days in advance.  If knowing isn't needed, then for me it is easier to just turn up when I can (i.e. 2/3rds of the Fridays).  

--James.

[Karen McCarthy]

I am a parent and hope it's okay to ask a question or two and make a suggestion? My son came along for a couple of sessions at the beginning of the UCD dojo to see if he could mentor or help out, having been involved in the Dublin dojo from the start. (He is 15) As someone else mentioned, I also thought that there would be more interaction between the children, or at least the older ones and teens.
I really liked the set-up of the tables and the age-groupings though.

What I found with it however, was the the presence of the parents helping out the younger ones made my son's attempts to help or "mentor" somewhat redundant! Several of the parents of the kids he offered to help said "no thank you, we're ok". In some ways I think the parents hinder this kind of cooperation and communication between the kids. I'd like to see some system whereby teens like my son would have a role in helping out at a table of older kids who don't need parents beside them.  (On that point, what is the lower age-limit for the UCD dojo? The couple of times I was there, I thought there were quite a few who were very young indeed and I wondered if there had been a minimum age set since then.)
Perhaps the adult mentors could use the teenage mentors/helpers with the kids who don't really need a parent hovering so they could be freed up to help out the younger ones who need mentor and parent to progress? As for us parents...well, we'll just have to entertain ourselves!
Best regards,
Karen

[Paul Tipper]

Any word yet on when the next dojo session will be held in UCD? I see there's sessions happening in the Science Gallery tomorrow and next week, but has anything been pinned down yet for UCD?

Paul

[Shane Mc Veigh]

Hi Paul and everyone else,

I think the idea was to wait until college term started again so that mentors would be available again, so I presume it will be starting again shortly. Now that Margaret is less involved, it's probably up to us to start discussions about it, so I'll start with the suggestion of Friday 7th or 14th. How would that suit people for mentoring and whatnot?

I know there was a question over the availability of the learning lab too, does anyone know what's the story with that?  

Shane

[Paul Tipper]

Bit late for the 7th... :), so the 14th?

[James Crook]

I'd be available to mentor Scratch at one table on the 14th.

I should be able to make 2 out of 3 dojos between now and December.

--James.

[Margaret Ledwith]

Hi All,

I have been in Helsinki all week but back on campus next week so will catch up with you all then.

Best,

Margaret

Margaret Ledwith

Academy Facilitator and Sustainability Manager

TCD-UCD Innovation Academy,

First Floor

UCD Research Building,

University College Dublin,

Belfield,

Dublin 4

[CoderdojoUCD]

Hello all,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you - things have been crazily busy in the office! Thank you again for all your contributions. Using what you've all suggested, we've come up with this suggested lesson plan/new class format for this semester's Dojo.

The suggested format:

The main focus will be on Python this term however there will be different tables assigned for specific coding/languages so newbies can be introduced to the Dojo and kids can work at their own learning pace should they be struggling to keep up.

Regarding the presence of parents at the table, we definitely agree that this time round there should be more of an emphasis on kids collaborating together. Our suggestion for this is that we introduce the "belt" system to the Dojo. All "white" belts must be with their parents - this will clue the parents in on what the kids are learning as well as give the kids something to work towards. It also rewards the children with more responsibility through self-advancement which is a lovely feeling for everyone! The basic requirements of what earns a "white" belt can be organised at our face-to-face mentor/admin meeting (mentioned below).

We'd also like to do some extra-cirrucular things this semester which include a Lego mindstorm day, a Senior day whereby the kids teach their elders a bit about computers and a presentation of all the kids' Dojo works/"belt" awarding ceremony. However, we need to do some more research into availability of resources etc before these events can be finalised.

Another thing we'd like to do, is organise what has happened in lessons into PDFs which students can download and work from in their own time. The packs would be simple to follow and easily accessible to all. In order to do this though, we'd need a written lesson from the mentors so I'd like to double check people would be okay with this?

As Margaret is unavailable the next few weeks, we'd like to resume session from Sept 28th onwards. Margaret has booked the Learning Lab on Friday evenings from 6 - 8.30 until 30th November. We're also having a mentor meeting on the 17th on campus so everyone can meet face-to-face and iron out any other details - I'll update you soon regarding the time once I've managed to book a room.

How does everyone feel about this? All cool? 

All the best,

Lucy

On Wednesday, August 29, 2012 11:25:44 AM UTC+1, CoderdojoUCD wrote:

[Laurence O'Bryan]

Hi,

All this sounds great, slow Python, tables for newbies etc. My son is 10, Robert O'Brien, and we are new to all this. How do we put his name down for the first session?

I am happy to learn along with a newbie table, I'm HTML ok, so should be able to get it, if we have an online learning structure/walk thru to follow.

Otherwise I can just assist at a newbie table.

Laurence O'Brien 086 8369254

On Wednesday, 29 August 2012 11:25:44 UTC+1, CoderdojoUCD wrote:

[Eugene Eichelberger]

The ebook I used to get Python started with the kids is http://inventwithpython.com/chapters/

I used several example programs from the first 14 chapters and then jumped to another e-book. It is a good slow starter book with very detailed explanations. This e-book does not address objects and would recommend moving to one that does as soon as you have a few kids ready.

-Eugene

[Michael Harty]

Hi,

I am a parent of one of the kids who has been attending and I was just wondering if it is on this evening?

 

Michael

---

From: coderd...@googlegroups.com [mailto:coderd...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of CoderdojoUCD
Sent: 10 September 2012 16:43
To: CoderD...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Time to get the ball rolling

[Margaret Ledwith]

Hi All,

We are trying hard to get up and running again but suffering from resource scarcity and start of academic year. 

Please bear with us.

Best,

Margaret

Margaret Ledwith

Academy Facilitator and Sustainability Manager

TCD-UCD Innovation Academy

First Floor,

UCD Research Building

University College Dublin

Belfield

Dublin 4

Ireland

T: + 353 (0)1 7164027

E: margaret...@ucd.ie

W: www.innovators.ie

[Michael Harty]

Hi,

I was just wondering if there is any update on UCD Coderdojo? Will it be starting up again?

 

Michael

---

From: coderd...@googlegroups.com [mailto:coderd...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Margaret Ledwith
Sent: 28 September 2012 15:00
To: coderdojoucd

[jonathan byrne]

Hey all,

I'm going to run a python course to get the UCD coder dojo back up and running and I am looking for volunteers. To keep it simple we are going to work from the invent with python course as recommended by Eugene. Prior knowledge of python is not required, all that is necessary is that you stay one lesson ahead :) 

I plan on starting the course on January 18th (a Friday). It will start at 6 pm and run for 2 hours. It will be on every Friday after that for 6 weeks.

I want to make a change to the previous format as well. This course is going to be harder than the scratch course, purely because it is going to require the kids to type and to debug things when they get them wrong. Accordingly the parents cannot be at the same table as their children because this situation inevitably ends up with the parents doing all the work. We will just have set a table aside for them. I'm not sure whether we should put an age limit in place but I do expect the attendance numbers to drop over the six weeks.

There are some things that need to get sorted before the course can start:

How did we contact the parents previously? Is there a mailing list to inform the parents of the course?

Does someone have the eventbrite set up and login details?

Who do we contact to book the learning lab in the CSI building?

Does anyone want to help me put up some posters around the campus for advertising for volunteers?

That is all I can think of for the moment, if you are interested in volunteering either reply on the mailing list, contact me at jonath...@gmail.com or call me on 0863257989. Looking forward to hearing from you!

regards

jonathan

[James Crook]

Jonathan,

I will be there to help mentor on the 18th.

I expect to be able to make about 2 out of 3 sessions in the early part of 2013.

--James.

[Paul Tipper]

Hi Jonathan,

I should be able to mentor on the 18th - I'll confirm closer to the time.

Paul

[Jack Bracken]

Same as Paul. Should be available on the 18th and a few Fridays after.

[Alan Donnelly]

Hi Jonathan,

I'd be happy to mentor also.

At this time, I can commit to the 18th, 25th of January and 15th, 22nd of February.

I can probably even bring a student!

Alan

---

From: coderd...@googlegroups.com [mailto:co...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of CoderdojoUCD

[jonathan byrne]

Hey Guys,

Thank you all for volunteering, hopefully we can get the UCD dojo back up and running. I was in contact with the head of CSI and unfortunately the active learning lab is not available this semester due to building work. He suggested the new theatre 2 in the Newman building as it has the same overall setup as the learning lab and is more centrally located. I haven't seen the new theatre and cannot find any pictures of it online. Has anyone been over there, does it have a sufficient amount of plug sockets for the students?

regards

Jonathan

[Liam Friel]

Hi Jonathan,

I will help mentor on Fridays (travel permitting, my current work involves a lot of unpredictable trips)

Kind Regards

Liam

[Aonghus]

I can volunteer - also, there's a similar learmimg lab in physics room 232, I'll ask someone Monday/Tuesday I'd it could be used.

--

--------

Liam Friel

mob: +353-86-8546660

twitter: @liamfriel | skype: liam.friel | linkedin: http://ie.linkedin.com/in/liamfriel

--

Aonghus

[jonathan byrne]

Hi Aonghus,

It would be great if you could check out that venue. I haven't heard back from the Newman folk yet.

regards

Jonathan

[Karen McCarthy]

Hi,
I am on the list because I have a son who attended one or two sessions as a mentor last year. He was one of the original Dublin dojo participants but has dropped off a little because the profile of the kids attending got too young for him and there were too many beginners. He is 15. He would like to get involved again doing more advanced stuff and as far as I know  has done some of the python stuff with Eugene. I would like to encourage him to mentor as I think it is an important part of the concept of Coder Dojo to have older teens as well as the under 12's involved.

As I am also on campus in UCD this year I would be happy to help out (in any capacity other than coding!). I am around most Friday evenings in UCD.
Regards,
Karen McCarthy

[Jack Bracken]

Aonghus: is that the whiteroom? If so I think students use it as a study space well into the night, or I used to anyway.

[jonathan byrne]

Hey all,

I have managed to get a provisional booking for new theatre 2. The room seats 72 people and has plenty of power outlets. Unfortunately they are around the edges of the room so we might need to bring some multiple adaptors. I am going to send an email to the parents this evening and set up an eventbrite event. We are still a go for friday the 18th. Do you want to meet up beforehand to discuss the material or is everyone okay with it?

regards

Jonathan

[Aonghus]

On Mon, Jan 7, 2013 at 11:57 AM, Jack Bracken <johnpatri...@gmail.com> wrote:

Aonghus: is that the whiteroom? If so I think students use it as a study space well into the night, or I used to anyway.

Yeah it is, though I think it's used less on Fridays (or at least was in my time) Haven't gotten around to asking Barbra yet, though, because I'm extremely jetlagged - sorry about that.

jonathon: Meeting up could be a good idea, but isn't essential since we're working off a particular course. Also, I can bring in a gardening cable reel with 2 plugs on it, plus one or two other extension cords in a pinch

[Shane Mc Veigh]

Hi Jonathon,

I can help with mentoring on the 18th, and hopefully every second Friday after that too.

Regards,

Shane McVeigh

[Fiona Doris]

Hi Jonathon,
can you add me to your parents list please? My son attended Coder Dojo at the Science gallery last term and loves Scratch so far. he is unable to do Saturdays for a while and hoped to switch to UCD until Saturdays are free again. Is this possible?
thanks for setting this up. Hopefully the booking will stand and the kids can get started again in Belfield.
all the best
Fíona

Jonathan

---

From: coderd...@googlegroups.com [mailto:coderdojoucd@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Margaret Ledwith

Sent: 28 September 2012 15:00
To: coderdojoucd

Subject: Re: Time to get the ball rolling

Hi All,

We are trying hard to get up and running again but suffering from resource scarcity and start of academic year. 

Please bear with us.

Best,

Margaret

Margaret Ledwith

Academy Facilitator and Sustainability Manager

TCD-UCD Innovation Academy

First Floor,

UCD Research Building

University College Dublin

--

--------

Liam Friel

mob: +353-86-8546660

twitter: @liamfriel | skype: liam.friel | linkedin: http://ie.linkedin.com/in/liamfriel

--

Aonghus

[Liam Friel]

Jonathan, 18th should be OK

What are the details (time/location)?

[jonathan byrne]

Hi,

The venue and times have been confirmed. We will be having it in the Newman Building. The venue is new theatre 2, when you come in the main entrance it is immediately to your left and down the stairs. The class starts at 18:00 and will run for 2 hours. If you want to discuss the course I will be there from 17:30. Also if mentors could bring multiple adaptors as the plug sockets are around the sides of the room and it could be a tripping hazard.

regards

Jonathan

[Colman Quinn]

Hi Jonathan,

 

Could you add me to your parents list please? My 9 year old son wants to join in CoderDojo.

 

Rgds,

 

Colman Quinn.

[jonathan byrne]

Hey all,

I just put up the tickets on eventbrite and it sold out in 10 minutes, looks like we are going to have a full house! It also struck me as a good way of finding out how many mentors are available. I created a separate mentor ticket. If you are going to attend as a mentor this Friday could you please get a ticket at the following link, it only takes 30 seconds:

http://www.eventbrite.ie/event/5258885468

[Karen McCarthy]

Hi Jonathan,

I registered Niall for Friday and then saw the e-mail about mentor registration so I did that as well, sorry. He will mentor, so if he is on the participant list, he can be removed from that. I will be with him on Friday, so please feel free to give me a job to do! 

Looking forward to getting going again in UCD, see you all on Friday,

Karen

[jonathan byrne]

Hi Karen,

Are you sure you want him to start mentoring immediately? I was looking forward to finding a project that would capture his interest. The first lesson is basically setting up python on peoples computers. If you think that he would prefer to mentor then that is okay.

regards

jonathan

[Karen McCarthy]

That's fine Jonathan. Why doesn't he just come as a participant this time and see how he can fit in to the bigger picture? If you have time he can have a chat with you about project ideas and see where he can help out with mentoring. If you need him to help set up others on python, I'm sure he'd be happy to do that too.
See you tomorrow,
Karen

[jonathan byrne]

Exactly, we'll see if we can do both :)