I worked for an IT company as an application developer for 15 years, and now I am a freelance engineer doing software development. My area of expertise includes building data analysis infrastructures and server construction. I also love programming so much that I write programs with my two children both for work and as a hobby. In fact, we are in the process of developing Minecraft extensions and operating robots.
Actually, I have been teaching both kids and adults programming and robotics as a side job.
I thought of sharing my programming skills and knowledge with other children because I felt fulfilled whenever my own kids enjoyed and applied what they have learned from me.
Moreover, I have noticed that there are
not so many programming schools that offer programming to children who have acquired programming skills to some extent and want to learn more. If there is a coder dojo (a dojo that supports children's spontaneous programming learning for free) nearby, it would be ideal, but it is not available everywhere.
Also, most of programming schools are for adults and the lesson contents are not suitable for children or the instructors are not used to teaching kids.
I first encountered programming in a special class at junior high school, but even though I wanted to learn more, there was no one around me who knew much about it, and even if I bought a book, I was stuck at the stage before writing a program and could not move forward (this was before the Internet became widely available, lol). I didn't start studying earnestly until I entered university.
I would like to support enthusiastic learners in a timely manner, and this is what brought me into teaching programming online.
[Teaching Experience]
2015-2018
Started as an instructor
My first experience as a programming instructor was in 2015.
It all started when a local elementary school launched a wonderful project for parents who have skills to teach something to their children.
I thought it would be a good idea to teach something that I thought was interesting, so I titled the lecture "Math Showdown with Computers" and gave a collection of math problems that are easy for humans but difficult for computers, and only one boy went crazy over them.
2018 to 2022
I want to be a more universally accepted lecturer.
Reflecting on the fact that I had stunned most of the children who went through the trouble of gathering for my courses, I started teaching at a programming class for children, and I was in charge of science subjects using robots and blocks.
Since then, I have given more than 2,000 lessons in programming languages such as Java and Python, mainly for working adults.
2022-Present
I reconsidered the possibility of giving a course that only one child would be happy with (←here now)
While working as an instructor at a programming school, I became convinced that "many people lose interest halfway through when you teach a set content in a set order, but once you deviate from the textbook and follow the person's wishes, their level of understanding grows dramatically.
Since what people want to do and what they want to create differs from person to person, I decided to register with Cafetalk because I wanted to provide programming instructions tailored to each individual.
In addition, I have given programming guidance to teachers at public elementary schools on an irregular basis, lectures for parents organized by the PTA on "how to interact with programming education," and held lightning talks on educational methods utilizing Minecraft, a popular game among children.
In the lightning talk competition, I passionately expressed my love for Minecraft and won the grand prize!
[Lesson Style]
Unfortunately, programming tends to give the impression of being "difficult" and that many people fail. I believe the reason for this is that "the goal is invisible".
There is a lot of basic knowledge such as functions and loops, but if you try to develop something for the first time after learning it all, I think it is understandable if you fail in the middle of the process.
In my lessons, I start by giving my students an “I want to make this” goal. And then, they will acquire the necessary skills to achieve their goal while actually creating the desired product.
Some may worry that they will not be able to acquire comprehensive skills, but not all active engineers have the aptitude and understanding of all the skills necessary for their profession. There are many web designers who say, "I like design, but I am not good at JavaScript.” But once they feel a sense of accomplishment from having created something, they will want to learn and create more. Comprehensive learning is the best place to start! That is my opinion.
The best way to have a goal is to start with "problem solving.”
Don't think too hard when I say "problem.” It should be a problem that is as familiar to you as "I'm trying to study, but I keep staring at YouTube," and one that you feel you need to solve.
Some of you may not have any problems at all. If that's the case, don't worry, I'm here to make suggestions!
If you are wondering where to start, please feel free to book a counseling lesson. Here is a brief summary of the target age range and how to proceed. Please use it as a reference.
Let's enjoy making things together!
***ko_Iori