Minecraft coding workshop to lift youths’ computer skills

[rooster59]

Minecraft coding workshop to lift youths’ computer skills

BANGKOK: TO HELP boost interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics among youths, a coding tutorial for the popular game “Minecraft” was launched recently in the third annual “Hour of Code

The event, at Microsoft Thailand's headquarters in the capital, attracted more than 300 Thai youths aged six and above. Thai game creators, Pakawat Leupatanasuk and Apidech Tearpaiboon, were also on hand to demonstrate a live cast of Minecraft.

"Computer science is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics or STEM education, which equips students with skills critical for every career. This is more relevant as the Asean Economic Community is approaching closer," Orapong Thien-ngern, Microsoft Thailand's general manager, said.

"We are delighted to see a rising number of children and parents show interest in coding.

"The initiative to include Minecraft in the Hour of Code is a first, and with its community of 100 million players worldwide, Minecraft represents creativity, strategy, collaboration and survival. Through this initiative, we aim to spark creativity in the next generation of innovators in a natural, collaborative and fun way."

Designed for ages six and above, the "Minecraft" tutorial introduces players to basic coding skills, encouraging them to navigate, mine, craft and explore in a 2-D "Minecraft" world by plugging together blocks to complete all actions and generate computer code. Players are offered a set of 14 challenges, including free playtime, to explore coding concepts they've learned through the tutorial.

National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) head Dr Thaweesak Koanantakool, who presided over the event, said: "NSTDA sees the importance in establishing a closer collaboration between private and government sectors as well as education institutions to accelerate innovation and technology to meet Thailand's needs in today's business and industries, and to increase competitiveness.

"We are pleased to see initiatives such as Hour of Code - Thailand that will encourage Thai youths to learn coding in a fun and familiar environment, and simultaneously develop a passion in computer science."

Ahead of this event, the Hour of Code was held at a smaller scale at 100 schools, covering some 30,000 youths, since November.

To bring the Hour of Code to more areas, Microsoft Thailand will partner with the NSTDA, non-profit group Change Fusion, as well as the social enterprise Good Factory, to hold coding workshops for youths, particularly underprivileged children, in Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces, from early next year.

The project includes "Train the Trainers" activity for leaders of local computer clubs, teachers, as well as non-government organisations to understand the logic of computer coding through Minecraft tutorials. The trainers will then coach young people aged 14-18 to code and extend their knowledge and skills to their own schools and communities.

"Change Fusion's goal is to support social entrepreneurs and initiatives that will bring innovative and sustainable change to today's challenges. We are pleased to partner with Microsoft and Good Factory to teach youths in the North to learn how to code and spark an interest in learning. Initiatives such as Hour of Code will lead to progress and development in Thailand's IT human capital in the long run," Klaikong Vaidhyakarn, Change Fusion Institute deputy director, said.

More than 7,000 teachers across 40 countries are already using Minecraft in the classroom.

Hour of Code is part of the Microsoft Youth Spark, a global initiative to empower young people to do and achieve more in their lives. It provides access to technology skills and a better education, inspiring youth to imagine and realise a better future, and help them to find jobs or even start their own business.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Minecraft-coding-workshop-to-lift-youths-computer--30275752.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-27

[zaphod reborn]

Because Thailand doesn't have enough "cut & paste" gaming programmers.

[TEFLKrabi]

If you've never heard of the "Hour of Code" you should check up on rather than slating it. It's a great idea for getting young people interested in programming and computing. I rather enjoyed it.