Courses, entitled ‘ITKids’, are now open to children aged 4 and above at the Microsoft IT Academy (MSITA) which is located in Block C of the University of Da Nang, 41 Le Duan.  The courses are being jointly organised by the university and MSITA.

Children attending the courses

The training methods are based on the operation of the ‘Hour of Code’, which is a global movement initiated by Code.org which reaches millions of students in more than 180 nations around the globe with the aim of increasing access to computer science education for all students worldwide. 

‘Hour of Code’ activities help children become active, rather than passive, users of technology in the current context of the increasingly tech-driven world.  Code.org is a non-profit organisation dedicated to expanding access to computer science, and increasing participation by women and under-represented minorities.

The ITKids courses are designed at different levels, depending on the trainees’ age. Participating in these courses, the trainees are required to create their own online games and animations using simplified coding methods. 

In particular, the instructors always enthusiastically introduce the basics of game programming to the children in a fun and accessible way.  For instance, the children are guided to use mission statements such as “go straight”, “turn 120 degrees” and “repeat” to draw hexagons on the screen.

MSITA’s manager, Mr Dinh Hong An, remarked that the courses will help children create their own online games in an exciting and stress-free learning environment, thereby developing their creative thinking and motivating logical thinking.  Also, thanks to these useful courses, potential IT talents will be discovered and developed. 

Child trainees will feel happy and excited to demonstrate their very own games to their teachers and parents and receive their praise.

Year 4 pupil Tran Ngoc Chau Giang from the Ly Tu Trong Primary School happily said that she is very interested in the courses.  “I like playing online games, especially the ones I create myself” she said.