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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Do you know of any schools or after-school clubs in the Amsterdam area looking to integrate technology lessons during the 2024-2025 school year? If so, NewTechKids has time slots open for Fall 2024. NewTechKids is expanding the number of classes it teaches in Amsterdam during the 2024-2025 school year. Our teaching team is available to teach during school hours (our preference) or after school. We can teach children ages 4-12 in Dutch, English or a
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Next week, NewTechKids will begin our second year of teaching digital literacy programs at Wereldwijs primary school in Amsterdam Southeast. We learned a lot from teaching all 650 students in groups 1-8 (ages 4-12 on average). We taught the youngest students in Dutch and the older students in a combination of Dutch and English. Here are some of our takeaways: Our youngest students are using apps which should not be legally available to them. Students
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The concept of "summer school" is foreign to many Europeans. Many think that kids should relax, have fun and take a complete break from school rather than continuing to study. European national summer school holidays tend to be shorter than those in North America which can last between 2-3 months. In The Netherlands for instance, the school summer vacation lasts six weeks because school holidays are distributed throughout the year. There's a big difference between
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Being able to think deeply and critically about technology and its implications is becoming as important as understanding computer science and knowing how to code. This is because the technology we currently have is directly related to the perspectives, values and even biases of the technologists who create it. To help kids develop critical thinking skills, NewTechKids is developing new lessons and teaching resources which help primary school-aged kids explore the ethics of technology. Our
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Register for the conference here. NewTechKids is pleased to continue our long-term partnership with the Amsterdam Public Library and Maakplaats 021 by becoming a programming partner for its upcoming 'Brave New Learning' conference which takes place in February 2019. We'll be teaching a workshop for educators focused on creative ways to introduce digital technology education to primary school students. We'll share our pedagogical framework, teaching approaches and observations from teaching children, including girls, minorities and
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Register for the conference here. NewTechKids is pleased to continue our long-term partnership with the Amsterdam Public Library and Maakplaats 021 by becoming a programming partner for its upcoming 'Brave New Learning' conference which takes place in February 2019. We'll be teaching a workshop for educators focused on creative ways to introduce digital technology education to primary school students. We'll share our pedagogical framework, teaching approaches and observations from teaching children, including girls, minorities and
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On November 19, 2018, NewTechKids hosted a delegation of researchers from the Education departments of University of Helsinki, University of Turku and University of Tampere here in the Netherlands. During the meetings, we shared our pedagogy, teaching approaches and concept scaffolding strategies related to introducing technological innovation, computer science and programming to young primary school students. We also discussed potential research collaboration. As part of the visit, the delegation visited an international school where NewTechKids has
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NewTechKids will host a meeting in Amsterdam with a delegation of Estonian educators in early October. We'll be exchanging information on technology education (computer science, technological literacy and computational thinking) and discussing collaboration possibilities. Estonia has made major inroads in integrating computer science and programming into primary school curriculum. In 2012, it launched the ProgeTiger Programme which covers engineering sciences, design and technology, and information & communication technology (ICT). The Programme targets preschool, primary and
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