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Carmen Huidobro's talk from RubyDay 2015 in Turin.
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In this insightful talk, Ramón Huidobro shares how teaching kids to code has not only enhanced his skills as a developer but also transformed him into a better community member. He reflects on his journey, beginning in 2012, where he was a programming novice eager to broaden his horizons in the tech community. - **Beginning of Journey**: Huidobro recounts feeling out of place in a developer meetup due to his lack of experience and skill. This motivated him to contribute to the community by introducing programming to children. - **Starting 'Computer Game Programming'**: He and his girlfriend established an after-school program at the Vienna International School, teaching diverse kids the fundamentals of programming and game design using Ruby and the Gosu library. - **Challenges Faced**: Huidobro describes initial difficulties in keeping kids engaged and coping with their desires to leave for other activities. He learns to take these challenges in stride, understanding that exposure may plant seeds for future interests. - **Learning from Kids**: Each session presented opportunities for him to learn alongside the children. For instance, the kids' tendency to 'break' their games taught him to encourage creativity and problem-solving. They often pushed limits, experimenting with game mechanics in ways he didn’t anticipate. - **Methodological Adjustments**: Huidobro acknowledges his own misconceptions about teaching programming techniques. He emphasizes the importance of breaking concepts down, using relatable metaphors, and ensuring practice aligns with engaging activities. Exercises became contests, helping children enjoy learning and reinforcing skills simultaneously. - **Peer Programming**: As he observed children helping each other solve coding problems, he realized the power of peer programming. This organic development in his teaching resonated with him and highlighted the collaborative nature of learning. - **Personal Growth**: Huidobro reflects on how teaching has boosted his confidence, leading him to participate in various tech communities, including Rails Girls and Ruby meetups. His journey has not only contributed to his skills but also allowed him to influence others positively. - **Future of His Students**: He shares that many of the children he taught are now advancing their skills, learning new tools like Unity and JavaScript, and staying in touch with him to ask questions. - **Conclusion**: Huidobro encourages everyone to consider teaching, citing how rewarding the experience can be and how it promotes personal and communal growth. He concludes by recommending resources for aspiring educators in programming, such as CoderDojo and Rails Girls.
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