At Code School Finland, we believe that coding education goes beyond syntax and algorithms. Coding education also means creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among young learners. We have been equipping teachers at Dhammajarinee Witthaya in Thailand with the skills and knowledge to inspire the growing generation of digital innovators since partnering with the school in 2022. This autumn, we launched a beginner level Python course designed specially for teachers eager to deepen their programming knowledge and enhance their teaching methods.
We welcomed 12 enthusiastic teachers to our online training programme, most of whom were new to Python. Through engaging webinars and hands-on activities, participants gained a solid foundation in Python programming and discovered new strategies for using Code School Finland’s materials to teach their students.
Our Python course for students offers a fun and, therefore, effective learning experience. The course integrates the learning process with topical themes and mirrors real-life entrepreneurial experience. Students form software companies and receive customer orders, following a genuine product development process together with their classmates. The customer orders feature a number of fun coding projects, such as a rap name generator and interactive games. This approach helps students develop their practical skills in programming and nurtures their soft skills, such as communication and teamwork.
Training programme overview
The training programme includes three webinars, complemented by an online course with downloadable resources. All the webinar contents and materials are translated into Thai by a specialist interpreter.
The first session introduced participants to the learning materials and the programming environment, laying the groundwork for their journey into Python. In the second session, participants engaged in coding challenges, learning the basic commands and essential concepts. This hands-on practice allowed them to test their understanding in a supportive environment filled with exploration and experimentation.
In the final webinar, we continued with the coding exercises, and teachers were also introduced to the assignments students would encounter. Participants took their assignment together with their teams, fostering a sense of community.
Creating a community of learners
The success of this training program highlights the importance of collaboration among educators. By sharing experiences and working together, teachers not only enhance their own skills but also become better equipped to guide their students in navigating the exciting world of coding and technology.
As the training program ends and teachers are given their skill badges, we are excited to see how these teachers will implement what they have learned in their classrooms. By fostering a learning environment that emphasises creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, we’re not just teaching coding; we’re empowering students to become the problem solvers and innovators of tomorrow.
We invite more schools to join us in this journey of discovery and growth. By investing in coding education, we can equip students with the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
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