Kids hone technology skills at Carrick Coding Club

Based at 28 West Street in the town centre, the club was set up by Chris Dillon, a primary three teacher in Larne.

The twice-weekly sessions began in September and have proved immensely popular with children aged 4-11.

“Everything we do is based around games; there’s a social aspect but it also helps develop teamwork, problem-solving skills and other mathematical concepts,” said Chris, from Greenisland.

“Nowadays everything is technology-based and it’s important that children understand the sequences going on behind that technology as they get older.

“I also wanted to create something for kids that offered an alternative to sports clubs.”

The classes use early-level programming apps and robots such as Sphero, Drone, Osmo, and ScratchJr.

“The sessions have been pretty much full; it’s all about learning in a fun way,” Chris added.

The club will be taking a break for the Christmas and New Year period, and is due to resume in March 2018.

Also planned for September next year is the Crazy Coding after-school club.

A number of local primary schools have already signed up for the initiative, which combines coding and crazy golf.

Meanwhile, Chris is also behind the teachers’ resource website Teaching Cave.

The site hosts a number of learning apps and lesson plans, interactive learning games and lesson resources for Foundation level up to Key Stage 2.

It has been used by tens of thousands of teachers worldwide in the past year.

For more information on the Coding Club and Crazy Coding initiative, email [email protected] or visit Teaching Cave on Facebook or Twitter.