New Tech Kids | All posts

10 Apr 2025

2025 School Holiday Bootcamps

The earlier kids learn about computer science and digital literacy, the better. Since many don't learn these subjects in regular school, NewTechKids' bootcamps are a great way to introduce them in a fun and social way. Too busy during the week? Register kids ages 8-12 for the school holiday bootcamps we teach during every Dutch school holiday period. Taught in a combination of Dutch and English by professional teachers or experienced computer science instructors, our

Mind over Matter (with a Didgeridoo thrown into the mix)

By NewTechKids

"We don't want help. We can do it on our own." During a recent NewTechKids computer science class at an Amsterdam primary school, we challenged students to design robots which can play musical instrument toys. Our collection of toy instruments includes a plastic didgeridoo which has never been used. When I mentioned this and challenged students to choose it, a pair of girls grabbed it. Not just any girls: a pair that loves building, figuring

New Technology, Art and Creativity Bootcamp

By NewTechKids

Register here. NewTechKids is conducting a research study about our past 10 years of teaching computer science with the University of Amsterdam and Vrije University. When asked what we should teach more of, many parents mentioned art and digital creativity. So we are chuffed to announce that NewTechKids is introducing a new, after-school bootcamp with classes aimed at fighting kids' passive tech consumption by helping them use technology to explore new forms of art, design

Kids Need to Understand AI, Not Just Use It

By NewTechKids

It's hard to help kids understand what AI is, how it works, and how computer "intelligence" is far from perfect. That's why NewTechKids is devoting more time to developing an AI curriculum for older primary school students. We're not only teaching them how the tech behind AI works, we're also teaching them to think critically about the pros, cons and implications of tech. (Should AI companies pay artist if work is generated from an artist's

1 Jan 2025

NewTechKids Teaching at More Schools in 2025!

By NewTechKids

For the first time in our history, the bulk of our clients are primary schools! And this is a good thing. Schools are waking up to the fact that a good education which prepares kids for the future includes basic computer science (and computational thinking) and digital literacy to foster critical thinking skills about technology and its influence on our lives. NewTechKids is teaching tech programs during school hours and as after-school programs on site.

3 Jan 2025

NewTechKids celebrates 10 years of teaching technology!

By NewTechKids

It's hard to believe but we're 10 years old! From our scrappy beginnings in Fall 2014 teaching in a co-working space, we've taught thousands of primary, middle and high school kids in Amsterdam, other Dutch cities and in places like Dubai and Switzerland about computer science and digital literacy. We've also trained hundreds of primary school teachers on how to introduce technology education in their classrooms. Our very first students are now finishing high school

17 Oct 2024

Tablets vs. Computers: Kids Need to Know How to Use Both

By NewTechKids

NewTechKids teachers recently had a wake up call when we gave primary school students ages 8 and 9 MacBooks instead of tablets to use for a class which involved connecting a mini computer to a laptop. This is not the first time we were surprised by how primary school students in this age bracket struggle with the transition from tablets to laptops and computers. Tablets are a great device and very appropriate for younger students.

10 Oct 2024

Internet Access in Class is Not a Good Idea for Some Kids

By NewTechKids

This past week, NewTechKids taught a class about interactivity. Students created interactive systems using the Makey Makey learning tool. This meant that the students had Internet access and had to navigate to Makey Makey's Web site to access the coding apps. Unfortunately, one student figured out a way to play games without coding the Makey Makey microcomputer. We observed a physical shift in him during which he went from being immersed in the Makey Makey

16 Oct 2024

Smartphones and teen mental health

By NewTechKids

Parents, caregivers and educators, if you haven't already done so, please pick up Jonathan Haidt's book "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness". Jonathan is a social pyschologist and in his book, he raises the alarm on the mental health crisis amongst teens. He traces the roots of the problems back to major factors, including: - the switch form flip phones to smartphones - the inclusion

27 Aug 2024

Video Games as theme of new digital literacy programs

By NewTechKids

NewTechKids is returning to Wereldwijs primary school in Amsterdam southeast for the third year in a row. We'll be teaching digital literacy programs to all classes in the entire school over the 2024-2025 school year. We'll be teaching an 'Intro to Technology and Responsible Usage' to the youngest students which covers topics such as online safety, responsible usage, being creative with tech (not only passive consumption) and coding. Our teaching team is testing the limits