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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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Are you a qualified teacher who wants to transform the way technology education is delivered to primary school students? Do you believe that technology education includes both computer science and the ability to think critically and ethically about technology? Are you committed to creating great, in-person learning experiences between kids and between kids and their teacher? NewTechKids is looking for freelance student teachers or qualified teachers to join our team. The most important requirements are
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Post by Deborah Carter, NewTechKids' Founder and Managing Director This summer, my son and I travelled to North America, in part to visit several university campuses and learn about programs which combine design, engineering and technology. We visited McGill University in Montreal, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, Stanford University in Palo Alto, University of California, Berkeley and University of California, Los Angeles. It was a fascinating peak inside some highly-ranked universities in Canada and
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NewTechKids is extremely proud of one of our students: Christiaan J. who was chosen to be a member of LEGOLAND Discovery Center Scheveningen's Kids Crew. Christiaan has attended 13 NewTechKids bootcamps in the last two years! The Kids Crew is a group of six children who promote LEGO amongst their peers for a one-year term, helping out with difficult building challenges and attending LEGO events. Christiaan competed with 12 children during a day which included two
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