Frequently Asked Questions

Computer coding, or computer programming, is the process of formulating a problem and transforming it into an executable computer programme. Basically, it is the process of telling the computer exactly what you want it to do. It involves a combination of skills such as analysis, logical thinking, problem-solving and a working knowledge of programming language(s) in order to implement the solution.

Computational thinking is the driving force behind coding. It is an approach to solving problems, designing systems and understanding human behavior that draws on concepts fundamental to computer science (J.M. Wing, 2006). It is a way of thinking - how you look at a problem and figure out the best ways to solve it, given various constraints.

Like in science lessons, it is equally important to master the scientific theories as it is to learn the practical skills of conducting an experiment. Coding is akeen to science lab experiments - it brings the laws and theories alive, but in order to fully appreciate the beauty of it, the student has to first understand why it is conducted in this manner, and how it relates to the theories they have learnt. This is computational thinking at work - and at Loshberry Code Studio, we go beyond coding to inculcate the the how’s and why’s of technology in all our classes.

Computational thinking equips students with a mental toolkit that will transcend boundaries and enable them to create the next big innovation in any fields they choose to be in.

Yes, children can understand coding too! In fact, the world’s youngest programmer is as young as 7 years old! Coding involves more than just typing away at the computers, it involves a lot of logical thinking and analysis, which we teach in our classes progressively through a variety of offline and online activities. All you need is an open mind and a never-ending curiosity, which are characteristics innate in most children!

The Loshberry classroom and curriculum is designed to engage and enrich in as many ways as possible. Like no other schools, do not expect to sit in front of the computer for two straight hours, and do not expect to be copying steps from the teacher blindly. We encourage creative thinking and interaction between classmates, so you can almost always expect fun, laughter and action in our classes. We believe that children learn best through kinesthetic and tactile activities, so we use lots of interactive offline activities to help students understand abstract computer science concepts in ways that are most relevant to them, before they go on and apply these concepts to their coding projects!

At Loshberry Code Studio, we believe in exposing students to a variety of tools that focus on different areas of learning. Our camp and term programme syllabus cover the latest and most up-to-date tools like Ozobot, Ozoblockly, Scratch, MIT App Inventor 2, Raspberry Pi 3, and BBC micro:bit (coming soon!). These tools and platforms have been carefully selected based on their educational value and relevance to our students’ learning at various stages.

Being professional coders and engineers ourselves, we at Loshberry Code Studio understand that the realm of computer science / technology is a rapidly changing one, and tools and platforms relevant today might become obsolete in simply a matter of 1-2 years. Therefore, the goal of our curriculum is not to simply let students master the use of certain tools, but rather to equip them with the computational thinking and coding concepts that will allow them to pick up any new tools and platforms that they may encounter in the future. Tools and platforms play a secondary role in our classes, as our primary focus is on the thinking process of our students while creating projects. In this way, students will be prepared to tackle new challenges in technology without being over-reliant on any existing tools and platforms today.

Knowing how to use a computer / iPad isn’t the same as understanding how they work. At Loshberry Code Studio, we teach our students to use the computer only in meaningful and productive ways that will enhance their understand of how computers work. Students are taught to think, plan and design their projects offline, on paper, before they proceed to code out their ideas on the computers, thereby taking ownership of their projects and the time they spend on the computer. This is productive screen time that engages students with technology in a responsible and supervised way, enabling them to understand the technology that will define their lives in the future.

Through learning to code with Loshberry Code Studio, students pick up a valuable skill set - Computational Thinking. This is a skill that applies to our daily lives. Arrays and Lists? It is how you plan your shopping trip and check off your shopping list on the way. Sorting algorithms? It is how you put your room in order based on certain categorical patterns. Divide and conquer? It is how you break down the steps to prepare your next meal.

Technology exists in almost any fields of work in the modern world. Teach a child to code, and he or she will take home a practical skill that might land them a job. Teach a child computational thinking, and he or she will be equipped with a mental toolkit that will transcend boundaries and enable them to create the next big innovation in any fields they choose to be in.