#codinginnyc

[itstartswithlight]

My First Coderdojo Workshop Experience!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am currently on an inner journey to re-discover The Fire which led me to learn to code. 

Making things was always something I enjoyed doing. Coding just seemed to be an extension of my maker-mentality--just another way to express myself. But somehow in the middle of it, I got bogged down by unimportant stuff. Doubts, uncertainty-- was I learning fast enough? Was I learning the right things? Was everyone else in my group a better coder than me?

I wanted to re-discover the Joy of Coding again. I wanted to feel and experience code as play, and not just as something with a means to an end. So let me tell you how thrilled I was to be able to particpate in the Coderdojo at Brooklyn Public Library. 

Coderdojo is a worldwide organization that started in Ireland in 2012.  The focus of Coderdojo is to provide spaces where kids can learn to code for free. I have always believed that information like this should be free and easily accessible, so being a part of this event was a dream come true.  They call the volunteers “mentors” but I didn’t feel that hierarchy. It just felt like having fun! The kids were enthusiastic and so were the parents. I helped some kids with Scratch (the animation program) but I had the most fun at the LittleBits table.  Seeing the kids’ eyes light up with possibility--there’s no other feeling like it for me. 

So thanks, Coderdojo (and the little ones who stopped by!) for rekindling The Fire. You helped one sad programmer get her mojo back!