全球未來新趨勢 懂寫程式的人更懂思考
First Code Academy兒童程式編寫課程 8歲孩子一學上手

 
下載照片方法:下載圖片前必須放大有關圖片,放大圖片方法,只需在照片上按一下。如欲下載,則需在放大圖片上按右鍵,然後揀選「另存圖片」,即可。To download the pictures: Click the picture you would like to download to enlarge it. Right click the enlarged picture and choose "save as" to download the picture.
 

.

新聞稿(即時發佈)                                                               2014年5月13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

全球未來新趨勢 懂寫程式的人更懂思考
First Code Academy兒童程式編寫課程 8歲孩子一學上手

Photos: http://www.seedland.hk/press/fca/1/
Press release: http://www.seedland.hk/press/fca/1/FirstCode_PR_C.doc

蘋果創辦人及前行政總裁喬布斯曾說過:「Everybody in this country should learn to program a computer... because it teaches you how to think.」意思為每個人也應該學懂編寫電腦程式,因為它讓你更懂得如何思考,難怪越多越多歐美國家開始把電腦程式班列入小學必修課程。當智能手機、平板電腦等工具已成為我們日常生活的必需品,各式各樣的流動應用程式(Apps)亦應運而生,使用Apps對大家一般都不成問題,可有想過自己編寫?First Code Academy創辦人辛婥琳告訴大家,即使孩子只有8歲,亦可於短時間內完成由自己創作的Apps,難怪有人說,電腦程式語言很可能是將來孩子的第二語言!

流動應用程式的應用,已融合到生活之中,讓孩子親自設計Apps,除了是思維訓練之外,更可提升解難的決心及能力──在日常生活中遇上挑戰,孩子可動動腦筋,親自設計實用的流動應用程式,為生活帶來更多方便。First Code Academy創辦人辛婥琳舉例:「曾經有同學創作了一個『襯衫App』,用家可以拍下家中每件衣服,讓自己在手機內一覽無遺,每天輕輕鬆鬆完成襯衫程序。富創意之餘又非常實用,堪稱愛美一族必備的App!」

在香港土生土長的辛婥琳,完成中學課程後赴美升學,於芝加哥大學經濟學系畢業後投身金融界,隨後重返校園,於矽谷進修編寫程式的課程,並於去年回港創辦First Code Academy,旨在把程式編寫的技巧推廣至小朋友的世界,先後與加拿大國際學校、漢基國際學校及美國國際學校合作,推出程式教學課程,至今已教授逾150名學生。辛婥琳表示,課程讓小朋友學會以科技為工具,創作出獨一無二、天馬行空的Apps:「讓孩子學習寫Apps是大勢所趨,不少歐美國家已把電腦程式班列入小學必修課程,電腦程式語言很可能成為未來世界的第二語言。小朋友自小學習設計流動應用程式可大大增加其競爭力,將來不論他們投身哪個行業,亦可有一技傍身。課程更可提升他們的自信、創意和毅力,令他們明白只要多動腦筋,就是年紀小小也有能力為生活帶來更多方便。畢竟,科技和設計其中一個最偉大之處,就是為人類解決問題,現在,孩子也做得到!」

對無數家長而言,電腦程式儼如外星文字,孩子如何可以在短時間內看得明白,繼而靈活應用出來?辛婥琳解釋:「其實學習電腦程式編碼並不像大家想像般困難,只要學懂背後的原理,再發揮每個小朋友都具備的創意,自然能編寫出令人一見難忘的Apps。科技不但可以促進人與人之間的溝通,為我們帶來娛樂;它亦讓小朋友更善於表達自己,激發他們無窮創意。」First Code Academy非常重視同學的創作,更會挑選部分優秀作品「上架」,讓大家在iTunes和Google Play下載試用。這樣一來,寫Apps不再是閉門造車的事,更可延伸成為惠己及人的興趣呢!

關於First Code Academy
First Code Academy以英語授課,於2013年正式創立,課程旨在為8歲以上的兒童提供設計流動應用程式課程: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 3300與Miss Jackie Liu聯絡。

 

Press Release (For Immediate Release)                                  13th May 2014

A new world trend – “Learn to think by learning to code!”
First Code Academy’s computer programming courses train children as young as 8years old to write their own apps

Photos: http://www.seedland.hk/press/fca/1/
Press release: http://www.seedland.hk/press/fca/1/FirstCode_PR_E.doc

The founder and CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs, once said, “Everybody in this country should learn to program a computer… because it teaches you how to think.” More and more western countries have begun to include mandatory computer programming classes in elementary school. While smart phones and tablets have become our daily necessities, their complementary mobile applications (apps) have also become popular. There’s no doubt that most of us are familiar with using apps but have you ever thought of writing one? Miss Michelle Sun, founder of First Code Academy, points out that even an 8-year-old child is able to pick up the skills of coding and create his/her own apps in a short period of time. The computer code is likely to become the second language of future generations!

Today, the use of apps has been integrated into our daily lives. By encouraging children to design their own apps to solve the challenges they confront and to bring convenience to life,students not only build their skills and logical mind, but also engage them in critical thinking. Miss Michelle Sun shares, “A student once came up with a ‘fashion mix-and-match app’, in which users can take photos of their clothes and get an easy glance of various possible outfits every day. It is both practical and creative, and works as a good tool for fashion lovers.”

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Michelle went to the United States for university and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Chicago. After working in the financial industry covering technology stocks, Michelle pursued her passion in technology and went back to school to study computer programming in Silicon Valley. By establishing First Code Academy, she has launched a variety of programming courses in collaboration with Canadian International School of Hong Kong, Chinese International School and American International School, training over 150 students on app design. Michelle points out that the courses offer children a chance to work with technology and unleash theircreativity. “It is a global trend for our younger generation to learn to write apps. A lot of schools in the western world have already incorporated it into their core curricula and computer language is possibly the second language of our future generation. It gives them competitive advantage regardless of which career path they choose, and helps them build confidence, creativity and persistence. Children will realize that they can bring real changes to the world even if they are young. After all, the greatest thing about technology is to improve human lives. Now the kids can do it, too!”

While computer coding may sound complicated for most parents, it is usually rather easy for the children to pick up. “Computer programming is actually not as difficult as people might think. As long as we understand the principles behind it, every child can write and design his/her own apps. Not only can technology improve communication among people and provide amazing entertainment, it paves a way for children to express themselves and develop a creative mind.” Honouring its students’ creativity, First Code Academy would select the best work to upload on iTunes or Google Play for the public to download. In addition to enriching and entertaining oneself, writing apps is a hobby that can benefit the public.

About First Code Academy
Founded in 2013, First Code Academy aims to provide English-based computer programming courses to children above 8 years of age. 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 Jackie Liu (3583-3300).

.