Guest: Felienne Hermans
In today's tech-savvy society, children are more connected than ever before, spending countless hours consuming digital content. But what if we could shift them from passive consumers to active creators? Felienne Hermans, a professor of computer science education at VU Amsterdam, is passionately working to make this shift a reality. By making programming accessible to kids through her innovative platform, Hedy, Felienne is helping to transform the way young people engage with the digital world.
The Challenge: Teaching Programming to Kids
Felienne's journey began about ten years ago when she, already a university professor, felt unfulfilled in her career. She decided to take her expertise to a high school classroom, teaching programming to 12-year-olds. However, she quickly encountered a significant gap in the available educational tools. “It was either toys like programming languages that look like stuff for elementary school kids… or they were professional tools, but then they were too hard,” Felienne recalls.
This gap highlighted the need for programming tools tailored specifically for young learners—tools that are neither too simplistic nor overly complex. Recognizing this, Felienne developed Hedy, a free and open-source platform designed to make programming accessible and engaging for children.
Bridging the Gap: Lessons from Language Learning
A key element of Hedy's success is its educational approach, which draws heavily on methods used in language learning.
Felienne explains, “If kids want to learn something… we need to have more practice, more deliberate practice.”
Just as children need repetition to master a new language, they require similar repetition and contextual learning to grasp programming concepts.
Hedy incorporates these principles by providing a structured environment where children can practice coding in various contexts. This approach ensures that all students, not just the most self-motivated ones, can develop strong programming skills. By making deliberate practice a cornerstone of learning, Hedy helps children build a solid foundation in digital creativity.
Why Teach Programming in the Age of AI?
With the advent of AI and tools like Large Language Models (LLMs) that can generate code, some might question the need to teach children programming. Felienne, however, believes that it's more crucial than ever. “The digital world is something that is created by people. Also, LLMs are created by people,” she asserts. Understanding this empowers children to see the digital world as something they can actively shape.
Moreover, Felienne warns of the potential pitfalls of over-reliance on AI. “It’s so tempting… to think, oh, I’m not going to read this complicated book, I’ll just read the summary,” she says. But this convenience comes at a cost—critical thinking skills can atrophy. Programming, like learning a language, exercises the brain, fostering creativity and problem-solving abilities that are essential for cognitive development.
Expanding Access: A Multilingual Approach
One of Hedy's most innovative features is its multilingual support, making programming education accessible to children around the globe. Felienne initially designed Hedy for her Dutch-speaking students, but as the platform grew, so did the demand for more languages. “We now support 57 different languages, including Hindi, Chinese, Arabic, Spanish,” she shares.
This feature is particularly important for children who may not speak English or are still learning the language. By offering resources in their native languages, Hedy removes a significant barrier to entry, allowing more children to engage with programming from a young age. This inclusive approach ensures that digital creativity is within reach for all.
Takeaways and Call to Action
Felienne Hermans' work with Hedy highlights the power of innovation in education. By addressing the gap in programming tools for young learners and incorporating principles from language learning, she has created a platform that empowers children to become creators in the digital world. As parents and educators, it's vital to recognize the importance of teaching programming—not just as a technical skill but as a way to foster creativity and critical thinking.
If you're interested in helping your child or students transition from digital consumers to creators, explore Hedy at hedy.org. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or programmer looking to contribute, Hedy offers resources and opportunities for everyone to get involved. Let’s ensure that the next generation is not just consuming digital content but creating it.
Conclusion:
Felienne Hermans’ insights offer a refreshing perspective on digital education. By making programming accessible, engaging, and multilingual, she is turning kids from consumers to creators, helping to shape a generation empowered to contribute to the digital world. As we embrace the future of technology, it’s vital to remember that creativity and critical thinking will always be at the heart of true innovation.
In a world increasingly dominated by AI, let's not forget the value of human creativity and the importance of nurturing it from a young age.
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