By Jovinah Lociah and Cheah Wai Shiang
Digital Skills are at the heart of the Digital Europe Programme and the EURIDICE project. This is not different for Sarawak, Malaysia. Also there, many younsters are interested to learn programming, and it is a challenge for them due to a lack of platform and support. To them, coding is challenging and only those studying computer science can do it.
A two days coding 101 was conducted on 20-21 of July 2024. It received 30 participants from vocational study, and first and second-year universities students from two associate higher education partners of EURIDICE: UNIMAS, and I-CATS. The program was supported by The Ministry of Education in Sarawak, Innovation and Talent Development, Sarawak Skills and UNIMAS.
The training began with the basics of Hedy, a user-friendly programming language designed to ease newcomers into the world of coding. This progarmming language was developed by Prof. Felienne Hermans from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
The intuitive nature of Hedy immediately captured the participants’ attention. Many participants, who initially had no coding background, found themselves quickly grasping the concepts. The step-by-step progression of Hedy levels allowed them to build confidence as they moved from simple outputs to more complex inputs and variables.
As the training progressed to more advanced topics, including random data generation and decision-making with if and else statements, the real challenge began: debugging. For many, debugging can be a daunting task, but for these participants, it became an exciting puzzle to solve.
Participants were so engrossed in finding and fixing bugs that lunch breaks were seen as mere interruptions. In fact, many returned early from lunch breaks, eager to continue working on their code. Their determination to resolve errors before the break had even ended was a testament to Hedy’s engaging design, which made problem-solving both accessible and enjoyable.
The excitement did not stop with debugging. Some participants were so eager to learn that they continued working on higher levels of Hedy even though the lesson has not been taught yet. They delved into functions, loops, and advanced decision-making, pushing themselves to explore the full potential of Hedy.
The training fostered a collaborative environment where faster learners helped their peers, creating a community of support and shared knowledge. This camaraderie was evident throughout the sessions, as participants exchanged ideas and solutions, enhancing the overall learning experience.
The interactive exercises, such as the Fortune Teller and Dice games, were particularly popular. These real-world applications of programming concepts made the learning process relatable and engaging, reinforcing the theoretical knowledge gained in a practical setting.
The final day of training featured a Kahoot quiz, adding a competitive edge to the learning process. Participants eagerly tested their understanding of Hedy, celebrating their achievements and reflecting on their progress.
The success of this training underscores the effectiveness of Hedy in making programming accessible and exciting. By breaking down complex concepts into manageable steps, Hedy not only taught the participants how to code but also instilled in them a genuine enthusiasm for programming.
