We are on a mission to empower all teachers in Zimbabwe with the skills, knowledge, confidence and support they need to teach computer coding in their classrooms. Our dream is that someday soon, every child in Zimbabwe will be learning how to code!
The fastest and most efficient way to teach computer coding to every child in Zimbabwe is by working directly with schools and educators to bring coding into the classroom.
In 2024, we are piloting a Teacher Training Program with the Ministry of ICT and our grant partners to empower 100+ teachers to teach computer coding to 10,000+ students.
If successful, our intention is to work with the Government to roll out a national teacher training program to bring computer coding into every school.
Our goal is to make learning how to code fun and approachable, not scary or intimidating.
So we use tools designed with exactly that in mind.
Scratch is a drag-and-drop coding program built by world-class educators at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Translated into 100+ languages and used by millions of learners all over the world, Scratch is the premier tool designed to help anyone get started on their computer coding journey. Recommended age 7+
WoofJS was designed to be the perfect bridge between Scratch and JavaScript. The team behind WoofJS took the Scratch coding blocks and gave them text-based code that could be easily written by new learners. Going from dragging and dropping code blocks to writing JavaScript can be daunting - WoofJS makes it easy and fun! Recommended age 14+
The program commences with a three-day intensive workshop that introduces participants to the fundamental concepts of programming through Scratch. Scratch is a user-friendly, blockbased development environment designed specifically for beginners and utilizes a visual interface.
Following the intensive three-day workshop, we will offer a series of monthly one-day workshops designed to progressively expand the coding knowledge of participating teachers over a twelve-month period.
To facilitate ongoing learning, we will establish a dedicated teacher community platform. This platform will provide participants with easy access to a wealth of resources, including tips, tricks, and a forum for posing questions and receiving answers from a supportive network of educators.
Our Teacher Training Program is designed to give educators the training and support they need to successfully teach computer coding in their classrooms.
Our monthly training sessions are designed to provide ongoing support to teachers to give them the experience and confidence to teach coding in their classrooms.
This WhatsApp community will be your one-stop shop for support! Program coordinators will be available to answer questions and offer assistance, while the platform itself fosters connection and interaction among teachers. The beauty of WhatsApp is the convenience and accessibility it provides – teachers can engage in discussions, share resources, and seek advice from colleagues anytime, anywhere.
The community will facilitate the sharing of educational resources such as lesson plans, teaching materials, educational articles, and relevant research findings. This resource-sharing aspect can enrich teachers' instructional practices and curriculum development.
Teachers can use the community to ask questions, seek advice, and engage in discussions on various topics related to teaching and learning. Highlight the collaborative nature of these discussions, where teachers can share insights, exchange ideas, and brainstorm solutions to common challenges.
Teachers will be encouraged to share their classroom experiences, success stories, and challenges faced in teaching. These stories can inspire, motivate, and resonate with other teachers, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared learning.
Peer support and mentorship within the community where experienced teachers can offer guidance, encouragement, and practical tips to their peers. This peer-to-peer support network will empower teachers, build confidence, and enhance professional growth.
There will be challenges or activities designed to stimulate engagement and participation within the community.
There will be polls and surveys to gather feedback, gauge interest, and assess the needs and preferences of the community members.
The community will also serve to announce upcoming training workshops, and professional development opportunities organized as part of the program.
There will be a possibility of inviting guest speakers or subject matter experts to conduct sessions on specific topics of interest to the community.
We’re on a mission to bring computer coding into every classroom in Zimbabwe. Want to start teaching coding at your school? Get in touch!
