City Library brings game coding to life

Dunedin (Tuesday, 15 September 2015) – Are your kids looking for something different to do these school holidays?

Young people have a great opportunity to learn about online game coding and strategy at free workshops being held at the Dunedin City Library from Wednesday, 30 September to Friday, 2 October. A free workshop specifically for teachers, librarians and youth workers will be held on Tuesday, 29 September.

Dunedin City Council Group Manager Arts and Culture Bernie Hawke says Game Coding by Gamefroot workshops provide a technology starter using something already familiar to young people – online games – as a way to inspire their curiosity and help them see the makings of technology for themselves.

“Coding is one of the must have skills for the 21st century. It opens the door to more complex technologies and an understanding of the huge range of opportunities out there.

“Using open source coding to create simple online games, participants will learn the basics of coding, design and strategic thinking. Teachers will be shown how to run these workshops themselves so they can hold more of them locally.”

Mr Hawke says public libraries in the 21st century play a significant role in building digital skills and are a hub for the community.

“We’re really keen to create novel learning experiences outside the formal school environment that are of interest to young people and let them have some fun with technology at the same time.”

There are two workshops for young people aged 10 to 14 and one for teenagers aged 15 to 18. There are about 25 spaces available for each workshop.

On Friday, 2 October, there will be an evening community event at the Library where participants’ games will be on show and certificates handed out.

For more information on the workshops and to register visit www.publiclibraries.org.nz/.

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