First Code AcademyAppJamming Summit 2015程式設計比賽」
赴美展現非凡創意  過來人親自分享致勝秘訣
First Code Academy’s “AppJamming Summit 2015 App Design Competition” offers students a chance to showcase their creation in the U.S.A., with tips of success shared by young app inventors

 
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新聞稿(即時發佈)                                                               2015年1月15日
致總編輯/港聞版編輯/副刊版編輯/教育版編輯/親子版編輯

First Code AcademyAppJamming Summit 2015程式設計比賽」
赴美展現非凡創意  過來人親自分享致勝秘訣

Photos: http://www.seedland.hk/press/fca/4/
Press release: http://www.seedland.hk/press/fca/4/appjamming_pr2_chi.doc

掌握電腦程式語言是通向未來數碼世界的鑰匙,同樣道理亦可應用在年青人身上。由兒童創意程式學院First Code Academy舉辦的「AppJamming Summit 2015程式設計比賽」,目的正是鼓勵年青人動動腦筋、發揮創意,親自設計出實用有趣的流動應用程式(Apps),將娛樂延伸成為惠己及人的興趣。勝出者更有機會在今年7月遠赴美國波士頓的麻省理工學院參加「AppInventor Summit(程式開發論壇)」,收集專家的寶貴意見!

「N世代」年青人(The Net Generation)自小已接觸到智能手機及平板電腦等工具,科技的使用彷彿是他們與生俱來的技能。加上他們吸收新事物的能力強,只要學懂基本原理便很容易舉一反三,其科技設計能力不容忽視。去年兩位來自First Code Academy的十四歲男生Brian和Brandon共同設計了名為「Outfitter」的程式。用家可以拍下家中每件衣服,讓自己在手機內一覽無遺,每天輕鬆完成配搭衣服的程序。他們甚至可以將配搭上傳至Facebook跟朋友分享,打造出最令人一見難忘的裝扮,堪稱愛美一族必備的程式。他們憑這個別出心裁的構思從全球過千份作品中嶄露頭角,成功躋身「程式開發論壇2014」,親自到美國展示和示範其設計作品。兩位同學分享:「入圍『程式開發論壇』絕對是難得的經驗!論壇雲集了全球最頂尖的科研人員及業界代表,從沒有想過可以與他們交流創作心得,大開眼界之餘更獲益良多。」

許多年青人認為程式語言猶如外星文字,親自編寫程式更是難若登天。不過二人表示編寫程式並不如大家想像般困難,從觸發靈感、構思設計,到落實執行,每一個步驟都趣味無窮。就好比學習其他語言一樣,掌握電腦程式語言便可以把腦海中天馬行空的想法用科技實踐出來。不同之處在於程式的表達效果更突出,突破了文字的平面局限,可以加入更多元化的視覺效果,更容易引人注目。

Brian和Brandon補充:「好的設計需要掌握兩大關鍵:一、以用家為本;二、簡潔易懂。程式設計者不應只著眼於如何編寫程序,更應考慮用家有甚麼需要。以『Outfitter』為例,經常有人為如何打扮而大傷腦筋,我們便以此為目標編寫出最適合的程式來解決問題。在落實執行上,我們盡量避免過於花巧複雜的設計,好讓用家可以一看便懂。因此在版面設計上更要花點心思,需同時兼顧美感及實用性。」兩位同學年紀輕輕,已充分展現出香港年青人的設計天賦!

有意參加「AppJamming Summit 2015程式設計比賽」的同學,可在即日起登入比賽網站(www.appjammingsummit.org),填妥申請表格及上傳作品,並連同一份作品簡介一併遞交。參加者年齡必須介乎8至16歲,使用MIT App Inventor 2設計出能解決問題的應用程式或遊戲,並獲教授程式編寫的導師提名(詳情請參閱宣傳海報)。主辦單位將於27舉辦工作坊,歡迎所有中一或中二的同學參與,一嚐編寫程式的樂趣,詳情及報名請登入活動網站:www.appjammingsummit.org/one-day-workshops.html

 

關於First Code Academy
2013創立First Code Academy以英語授課,課程旨在為6歲以上的兒童提供設計流動應用程式課程:68歲為「First Code小玩家(First Code Tinker)」,孩子將透過iPad上的兒童教育Apps及一系列簡單易明的課堂活動,初步認識程式概念;811歲為「App探索家(App Explorer)」,孩子在課堂上初嚐寫App滋味;12-15 歲為「App發明家(App Creator)」,較深入地教授有關電腦程式的知識,提升同學的解難能力;15歲或以上為「App工程師(App Entrepreneur)」,這階段孩子已能實踐出自己的理念,創作出各適其適的Apps,課程將引導同學進一步思考市場上的真正需要,甚至設計Apps解決客戶的需要。

 

First Code Academy                    網址:www.firstcodeacademy.com
發稿:First Code Academy       代行:一口田有限公司
電話:3583 3100  傳真:3583 1331 電郵:info@seedland.hk
如欲查詢詳情、索取照片或安排與First Code Academy進行專訪,歡迎致電3583 3310Miss Heidi Lam聯絡。

 

Press Release    (For Immediate Release)                    15thJanuary 2015

First Code Academy’s “AppJamming Summit 2015 App Design Competition” offers students a chance to showcase their creation in the U.S.A., with tips of success shared by young app inventors

Photos: http://www.seedland.hk/press/fca/4/
Press release: http://www.seedland.hk/press/fca/4/appjamming_pr2_eng.doc

Mastering the computer code is the key to the digital world of future; the same principle can also be applied to children. First Code Academy, an established education centre which provides computer coding courses to children, launched the “AppJamming Summit 2015 – App Design Competition” for creative young app developers. They can demonstrate their creativity through writing their own unique app and earn a chance to participate in the MIT App Inventor Summit in July 2015 in Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Boston, USA. In addition to enriching and entertaining oneself, writing apps is a hobby that can benefit the community by solving problems using technology.

The Net Generation has opportunities to get in touch with smart phones and tablets from a very young age; and hence the use of technology is like a skill they are born with. Their talents of technological design are remarkable since they have a greater capacity for acquiring new knowledge. By understanding the principles behind coding, every child is capable of writing impressive apps. Last year, two 14-year-old boys Brain and Brandon from First Code Academy created the app “Outfitter” for fashion lovers, in which users can take photos of their clothes and get an easy glance of various possible outfits every day. They can even save different combinations of outfits and share with friends through Facebook. This ingenious design made them stand out from thousands of app developers to compete and present their work in the MIT App Inventor Summit 2014 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They shared, “The MIT App Inventor Summit gave us an incredible experience! We have never thought of having an opportunity to exchange ideas with the world’s top computer programmers, research scientists and representatives of the industry, and we definitely learnt a lot from them.”

Computer coding is like an alien language to many children, not to mention writing one’s own apps by themselves. Yet the two young app designers say it is not as difficult as people might think. From inspiration, ideation to implementation, each step is in fact infinitely amusing. Learning the computer code is just like learning other languages, in which people can bring their innovative ideas to real life with the help of technology. For them, writing apps is an efficient way of expressing their ideas, with a variety of visual effects. 

Brian and Brandon further remarked, “There are two basic elements to a good design: user-orientation and simplicity. The app designer should not just focus on creating things, but identify what should be created. Take ‘Outfitter’ as an example, we notice that people often get big headaches to think of what to wear; and therefore our app is designed to suit this particular need. In the implementation process, we avoid excessive details and look for a simple, user-friendly design. It makes the design of layouts even more difficult as we have to balance between aesthetics and practicality.” They are truly the best proofs that children in Hong Kong do have special design talents!

For those who wish to join the “AppJamming Summit 2015 – App Design Competition”, please fill out the online application form and upload your app together with a description to the website (www.appjammingsummit.org). Each applicant has to design an app for solving problems or a game app by the MIT App Inventor 2. The age restriction is from 8 to 16 and nomination from the app instructor or teacher is required (please refer to the website for details). The organiser has specially arranged a workshop on 7th February. Welcome all interested F.1 or F.2 students to join. For sign up and further details, please visit: www.appjammingsummit.org/one-day-workshops.html

About First Code Academy
Founded in 2013, First Code Academy aims to provide English-based computer programming courses to children above 6 years of age. Classes for children aged 6 to 8 are called “First Code Tinker”, for students to learn programming concepts through educational iPad apps and unplugged activities. Classes for children aged 8 to 11 are called “App Explorer”, in which children will be invited to experience their first trials in app writing. “App Creator” is designed for children aged 12 to 15 and targets to teach them programming-related knowledge in a more in-depth manner and enhance their problem-solving capabilities. For children older than 15 years of age, they should be able to establish their ideas through technology and create a variety of apps in “App Entrepreneur”. This course will guide students to adapt further to the market’s needs and design apps that can suit different clients.

Released by: Seedland International Limited
On behalf of First Code Academy
First Code Academy website: www.firstcodeacademy.com
Tel: 3583 3100     Fax: 3583 1331     E-mail: info@seedland.hk
For more details, photo-shoot booking, interviews or other enquiries, please contact Miss Heidi Lam (3583-3310).

 

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