By Hadjer Khiati
GOMBAK, 3 December 2018 – A workshop on the Hour of Code robotic and Microsoft digital skills aimed at helping children to understand and explore new technology was held last Saturday (1 December) attended by 30 participants from Pusat Jagaan Nuri.
The workshop was designed to teach participants the basics of the robotic using Microsoft software programming and coding (Minecraft) to make connection between the computer and Micro:bit as an example of using different kinds of programmes and basic exercises.
Fourteen levels were chosen to teach the children how to use the basics of programming to win the game where they were taught to programme the character by following instructions to achieve the goal of each level.
The Hour of Code by Microsoft Office was introduced by Dr. Jasmine Begum, who is the Director (Corporate External & Legal Affairs) at Microsoft Malaysia.
Dr. Jasmine exposed the meaning and importance of new technology in helping children choose their career based on their interest. Using ‘Turn Your Passion Into Action’ concept, she said that “your interests today could be science, technology, engineering or job of tomorrow”.
The Hour of Code robotic and Microsoft digital skills workshop was conducted on a partnership between Microsoft Office Malaysia and IIUM Roboteam in an effort to integrate children with new technology and the basics of robotics by teaching them coding and programming.
Sponsored by Microsoft Malaysia, Pergerakan Puteri Islam and IIUM Reboteam, the workshop was conducted from 9 am to 4 pm at Microsoft Office Malaysia in Menara Shell.
In his welcome speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yasir Mohamad Mustafa, who is the Deputy Director of Academic Management and Admission Division (AMAD) and IIUM Roboteam advisor said: “The Micro:bit as one of the latest robotic education platform for younger generation was designed to teach children how to light up the LED on the Micro:bit board with different patterns using an easy sequence of code provided in the Micro:bit website.
“This activity has helped participants to relate programming with real life where they can see the output of programming in reality and how the software is related to the device connected to the computer,” he stressed. ***