DigiTeenz teaches coding to youths
IN this technology-driven age, youths need to be empowered with digital skills to succeed.
However, without proper access to technology and resources, students from underprivileged backgrounds may miss out.
In an effort to democratise digital skills among these students, Microsoft recently hosted DigiTeenz for over 100 underserved youths from the urban poor and refugee communities.
The event aimed to prepare them for entrepreneurship, employment and further education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields.
Held in partnership with Yayasan Generasi Gemilang and several local nongovernmental organisations, the day-long event saw a variety of interactive sessions.
Microsoft served to train students’ creativity and digital skills through The Hour of Code and Micro:bit training while Yayasan Generasi Gemilang shed light on the importance of digital safety through talks.
Microsoft intern Low Ka Sen, 22, who is an engineering student at Sheffield University conducted The Hour of Code, an introductory session to coding.
Low said: “Our objective is to spark the students’ interest in computer science as well as STEM in general.
“This session enabled students to learn about the fundamentals of coding in simpler forms through a game of Minecraft. They learn about if-statements and for-loop, which are basic concepts in coding.”
A robotics enthusiast and creator, Chloe Soh Ke Er, 10, headed the Micro:bit training.
Soh, who also recently taught Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad how to code during a Microsoft campaign, introduced the students to the Micro:bit, a small handheld programmable computer.
“I was given the opportunity to teach them simple coding in a fun setting using the Micro:bit.
“It’s important to teach youngsters from all backgrounds to code to prepare them for the future. If they’re not exposed to this skill, they won’t be able to keep up with the world of technology,” said Soh, who started coding when she was 7.
Roganathan Saravanan, 15, from Myskills Foundation, a school for at-risk youths, said that he was happy to take part in DigiTeenz.
“At first, I found The Hour of Code to be quite difficult. But after I started to understand the concept, it became very fun. I really enjoyed learning from the trainers.”
During the event, he shared a tablet in a group of four.
“One of my group members could not keep up with the coding lessons, so my friend and I taught him until he could understand. We made it to level eight of the Minecraft game. After we completed both sessions, the group member thanked us. It made me feel so happy,” said Roganathan.
Adding that the coding skills are very valuable, Roganathan said: “I hope that I can attend a similar programme in the future.”
Another participant, Shafiqah Nisha, 13 from Zomi Education Centre, a refugee learning centre, said that it was her first exposure to coding.
“I enjoyed learning to code, especially as it was taught in the form of games. I had a great educational session with my friends,” said Shafiqah.
DigiTeenz was held on August 16 in conjunction with International Youth Day and in line with the nationwide STEM4ALL initiative.
Other participating NGOs included the Myskills Foundation, Zomi Education Centre and the Rohingya Project.
Yayasan Generasi Gemilang director of services Nick Foong said: “Our mission is to improve the lives of underserved children and families by increasing access to quality education.
“As new technologies continue to transform the jobs of the future, it is important that we equip our youth with the skills, knowledge and values needed to thrive in a digital future. We are proud to work with partners such as Microsoft to help underserved youth pick up digital skills to break out of the poverty cycle and give them hope for a better future.”
Microsoft Asean and New Markets director of legal, corporate and government affairs Dr Jasmine Begum said: “The United Nations’ Department of Economic and Social Affairs stated that the world is currently facing a ‘learning crisis’, with only 10 per cent of people in low income countries completing secondary education.”
She added that Microsoft is committed to developing digital skills among youths.
“We believe that by working together with governments and NGOs, we will be able to bridge the opportunity divide, and ultimately put an end to this learning crisis,” said Jasmine.