Calling budding programmers, developers and geeks!
Are you interested in learning computer programming? Want to find out what it is all about, without devoting too much time? Do you have a child or learner that might be interested? The University of Cape Town is holding a free course to give young learners an introduction to computer programming. They will teach the basic skills needed to start creating your very own fun and useful computer programs.
The course will be run from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 February 2010. It is targeted at learners in grades 7–10 with little or no knowledge of programming, but learners of other grades are also welcome. The course will teach Python: a real-world programming language used by many large companies such as Google, Yahoo and Industrial Light & Magic that is also easy to pick up.
The only prerequisite for the course is a fair level of computer literacy: using a web browser and text editor. The course will start from the very basics of what computer programming is about and end off with an introduction to programming concepts: flow control, lists and functions.
You can apply online at http://algorithm.cs.uct.ac.za/apply. Dead- line for applications is 21 February.
Using computers is an unavoidable part of everyday life. In almost every profession you need to use them and even at home. You will find your children using them at a young age. It is important that your child gets to grip various bits of software and programming so that when they get older they will not be fazed by things like broadband from O2 or other more complicated computer programs.
As this course is designed with children in mind, it really is the best place for your child to come. It is taught in a manner that children will be able to pick up quickly and also enjoy. Children shouldn’t feel intimidated by technology and this will really help them with a step in the right direction feeling at ease with it.
Please let me know if you have anything in Joburg fourways area. My son is 11 and taught himself visualbasic untill he hit a maths problem= he had not reached that level in class. I would love him to met with like minded friends and even /actually make friends. He also loves building lego robotics. Any advise is welcome. He has lost all interest in school.
Forever Hopeful
Trish
Hi Trish – your son sounds a lot like me at age 11.
Thanks to funding from Google, my friends at the Umonya Project are now planning are to deliver courses in Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Johannesburg, Durban in 2011.
Keep on eye on my blog, or http://www.umonya.co.za for details!
Hi there
Please could you keep me informed if you are going to run your course in Johannesburg. My son is 15 and his only passion is computers. I have tried everything to get him to play sport or to get involved in other extra murals at school but he is not interested. He has been assessed as a 80% average student for Grade 12 but he is just so bored with normal school work. Perhaps getting involved in other courses like yours will give him the drive he needs.
Kind regards
Deborah