computing education

Bimlesh WADHWA

Department of Computer Science, School of Computing (SoC)

bimlesh@nus.edu.sg

Wadhwa, B. (2024). 'Code for Community' Project: Promoting community engagement among NUS Computing students [Paper presentation]. In Higher Education Conference in Singapore (HECS) 2024, 3 December, National University of Singapore. https://blog.nus.edu.sg/hecs/hecs2024-bwadhwa/

SUB-THEME

Opportunities from Engaging Communities

KEYWORDS

Community engagement, computing education, volunteerism

INTRODUCTION

In today’s technology-driven world, coding and robotics are not just valuable skills but essential ones. The “Code for Community” project, initiated by NUS Computing (also known as the School of Computing [SoC]) in 2015, seeks to bridge the digital divide by teaching coding and robotics to underserved children and youth. Through the involvement of SoC students and alumni as volunteers, the project fosters mutual growth and benefits. Community engagement plays a crucial role in computing education. The rapid pace of technological advancements, combined with the often solitary nature of coding, can lead to isolation and barriers to connection. When SoC students participate in community projects, they are more likely to collaborate, share knowledge, and support one another, encouraging active learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills essential in computing.

The project introduces underserved children to coding and robotics through an engaging curriculum that utilises tools such as Dash, Dot, and McQueen robots. Weekly lessons build the children’s skills and confidence progressively, and the participants are also trained for hackathons and taken to tech fairs for valuable exposure and learning opportunities.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ‘CODE FOR COMMUNITY’ PROJECT

The project’s three primary objectives are:

Empowerment Through Education: Equip underserved children with essential coding and robotics skills.
Community Engagement: Foster a sense of community involvement and responsibility among SoC students.
Skills Development: Enhance the technical and soft skills of SoC student volunteers through teaching and mentorship roles.

WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES

Workshops typically span 8-10 weeks with 60-90 minute weekly sessions held at selected partner centres such as the Autism Resource Centre, the Ulu Pandan Study Centre, the Sembawang Family Service Centre, and the Brighton Connects student care centres. These workshops offer a balanced approach, combining computing theory with hands-on practice. Participants learn to code and build simple robotic projects (Figures 1 and 2). Hackathon preparation enhances problem-solving and teamwork skills, while visits to tech fairs expose participants to real-world technology applications. The project is inclusive, extending participation to neurodivergent children and youth.

HECS2024-a112-Fig1 — *Figure 1*. SoC volunteers introducing coding to course participants

HECS2024-a112-Fig2 — *Figure 2*. Coding and robotics-building activities.

PERCEIVED IMPACT AND RATIONALE

Though formal evidence has not been collected, we believe the project is impactful based on several observations. Participants demonstrate increased confidence and curiosity as they develop coding and robotics skills, particularly after successfully completing projects or engaging in hackathons. Exposure to tech fairs broadens their understanding of technology’s potential and encourages further exploration. These activities are designed to spark interest in technology and create a positive learning environment, which we believe is key to fostering long-term engagement in the field.

For SoC volunteers, the experience of teaching and mentoring underserved children offers unique personal and professional growth. Volunteers report deeper technical proficiency, improved leadership and communication skills, and a heightened sense of empathy. Engaging with these communities encourages students to think critically about societal needs and develop technology-driven solutions.

HECS2024-a112-Fig3 — *Figure 3*. SoC volunteers with centre staff and the course participants.

CONCLUSION

The ‘Code for Community’ project is a unique blend of computing education and community engagement, creating a transformative impact on both participants and volunteers. While formal data collection is yet to be conducted, the observed outcomes suggest a positive influence on all involved. This initiative showcases the powerful role technology can play in driving social change and preparing the next generation of compassionate, skilled computing professionals.