For Parents

22 November 2018 · by Nuala McHale

To celebrate the month of giving, we are hosting a global competition for young people involved in CoderDojo (Ninjas) to celebrate all they are thankful for. We want to encourage young people to share the things they are thankful for using the skills they have learned in their local CoderDojo club! Entrants can make a project about anything or anyone they are thankful for! It can be a HTML thank you card, a Scratch game where you highlight things you are grateful for, or a robot that plays a “thank you” song to your family for… Read More

15 November 2018 · by Nuala McHale

CoderDojo is a global movement of free computer coding clubs for young people. The first Dojo was started six years ago. There are now more than 2000 active Dojos in 100 countries, giving 45000 young people the opportunity to learn how to code in a fun, social environment. The CoderDojo movement is supported by the CoderDojo Foundation, a registered charity. In October 2015 the Raspberry Pi Foundation merged with Code Club, followed in May 2017 by a second merger with the CoderDojo Foundation. Together we now represent one of the largest sustained global efforts to help young people learn about… Read More

30 October 2018 · by Nuala McHale

Libraries have always been spaces where young people can explore new ideas and access emerging technologies. It makes sense that they would be an ideal space to host a CoderDojo club. Not only are libraries centres of learning for a community, they often are jammed with books on computers and coding to bolster young peoples understanding and love of making with technology! Below are 8 books we have found useful for explaining coding concepts and skills to young people!   Ages 4-7 Lift-the-Flap Computers and Coding By Rosie Dickins… Read More

23 October 2018 · by Nuala McHale

Libraries have proven to be great spaces to host Dojos. As highlighted in our CoderDojo in the Library handbook, they are perfect for bringing young people together to learn about technology. Ivan Silva, works in his community’s local Belvedere Tiburon Library. He decided to start a Dojo there back in 2013 and hasn’t looked back since. Here he shares his experience. I have been involved with CoderDojo since 2013. I first heard about the clubs when a member of the Sudo Room hackerspace in Oakland mentioned… Read More

19 October 2018 · by Nuala McHale

On Wednesday 17 October, CoderDojo held our sixth annual EUDojo in the European Parliament in Brussels. Since last year’s event, CoderDojo has grown significantly, with almost 500 new Dojos. It is incredible that this Irish-founded initiative has turned into a global phenomenon, with clubs in over 100 countries worldwide. EUDojo coincides with the sixth year of Europe Code Week, and the event was co-hosted by MEP Sean Kelly and the EPP party. It was attended by MEPs from over 10 countries. Volunteers, champions and parents from across nine European countries were invited… Read More

15 October 2018 · by Nuala McHale

Libraries have proven to be great spaces to host Dojos, as highlighted in our CoderDojo in the Library handbook. Conor Hennessy, who works in Blanchardstown Library, decided to start a Dojo this year. Here he shares his experience of running the club and his advice for others thinking of starting a Dojo themselves: As libraries provide access to new and emerging technologies, we decided to set up a CoderDojo to introduce the public in our local area to coding. We have been running sessions once a week for the past three to four months. The… Read More