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Photo by Annie Sakkab, The Record
KITCHENER — Volunteers will show senior citizens how to use Skype so they can easily stay in touch with their children and grandchildren around the world.
Small children will learn how to create their own computer games. There will be monthly gatherings called “wine, women and code.”
And anyone who wants to learn how to build a website or write computer code will have a chance to learn — all for free.
Welcome to Year of Code Waterloo Region.
It aims to demystify technology and inspire everyone to learn more about it. The official launch is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, at Kitchener City Hall. Everyone is invited, and there will be a variety of activities running 1 to 4 p.m.
“It is very much about tech literacy,” Stephanie Rozek said.
Rozek is the organizer behind the Year of Code. After graduating from the University of Waterloo with a degree in electrical engineering, Rozek worked in several areas of the tech sector — programming, marketing and education. Then, she started her own business — Hackademy — that teaches computer coding.
“I am a Geek Whisperer,” she said.
The idea for a year-long campaign that demystifies technology and teaches coding to thousands of children, teens, adults and seniors was born in the reactions of her students. When Rozek saw the impact on students in her Hackademy, she wanted to expand it.
Johan Guttenberg invented a printing press around 1450, and the age of books was born. Guttenberg’s invention helped bring on the Renaissance. People had to read to become educated and informed citizens.
“Knowledge is power,” Rozek said.
She likens the impact of the digital revolution to the invention of Guttenberg’s printing press. In the past, jobs and economic security flowed to those who could read and write, and today, to those who can code, Rozek said.
“We want to demystify technology,” Rozek said. “What is the technology used in our daily lives, and how does that make it better for people?”
How do you build a website? How do you keep your kids safe online? How do you use products like Google Hangouts? How do you use your smartphone? What are the best apps?
“It is very much aimed at beginners. It is about demystifying digital technology,” Rozek said.
The energetic techie is leading a small team that works on long a table inside the Communitech Hub in the Tannery. They will produce new content every month aimed at children, teens, adults (both parents and teachers) and seniors.
“And everybody has different needs,” Rozek said. “So, for instance, the very first one for kids is: ‘How to Program Your Parent.’ It teaches the concepts of algorithmic thinking, or logical, thinking that is used in programming.”
The first ones for teens is about using social media and being safe online.
“A great deal of what we are trying to address is making people’s lives better through tech literacy and knowledge,” Rozek said.
During the last two weeks of July, the Year of Code will operate a store front at Themuseum in downtown Kitchener.
The Year of Code Waterloo Region is supported by some of the biggest names in tech, including the people who brought you Firefox.
Communitech, Cannon Innovation Labs and Manulife are sponsors. The Mozilla Foundation and Capacity Canada are partners. The Year of Code is a charitable project of Capacity Canada.
“The Firefox people do a ton of digital learning,” Rozek said.
Article by Terry Pender of The Record. Original Article at http://therecord.com/news-story/5696810-year-of-code-all-about-digital-literacy
