CoderDojo is a worldwide movement based on programming clubs of young people aged 7 to 17 years. In these clubs, children and young people learn how to build a webpage, create and program mobile applications all under the guidance of experienced mentors from IT industry.
Publish: 23.2.2020
Author: Národní ústav pro vzdělávání, školské poradenské zařízení a zařízení pro další vzdělávání pedagogických pracovníků
The whole project is built upon voluntary work. Visiting clubs is always free for children. The volunteers, by joining the CoderDojo, commit themselves to prepare a nice and inspirational environment for the children, they commit they will motivate children for project work, mutual help and that they will work on the communication skills of children. CoderDojo is a community project, that supports not only the involvement of the volunteers and children but also their parents. Not all the volunteers of CoderDojo are technically educated, but still, they are an integral part of CoderDojo. The community is built around the clubs on the local level, but all the volunteers are in contact electronically and they share their experiences even at the national meetings. It is the same at the international level, the members of the CoderDojo have a chance to participate in large conferences.
CoderDojo has its origin in Ireland, from where it has spread to more than 95 countries (since the year 2011). In the Czech Republic, currently, 11 clubs are operating, namely in Prague at the University of Economics, and Data4U, Most, Náchod, Ústí nad Labem, Frýdek-Místek, Chomutov, Olomouc, Brno, Úsov and Ostrava. Some of these clubs work in primary and secondary schools, other at libraries or the community centers. The teachers (called “mentors” in CoderDojo) are not IT experts only, but students also. The clubs usually meet once or twice every two weeks, but some of them just once a month.