The Computer Whizz Kids Club
Nicholas Albery
My son Merlyn, when he was 11, wrote a booklet entitled 'Learning Computer Programming in One Day - A Guide to BBC Basic.' This booklet enlightened me, as a computer illiterate. The programs take about four to five hours to plough through, allowing for tea breaks, and they got me to the stage where I was able to write one simple but subtle computer game of my own. My program took me most of one day to compose but it was a wonderful experience, like having a fine scalpel opening up whole new areas of the brain. We are hoping that parents will obtain this booklet as presents for their offspring - indeed it might suit anyone between 9 and 90 who feels overawed by computers (and who has access to a BBC/Acorn computer, the sort used in most schools). We also hope that schools will use it in computer training classes.
'A child who is enthusiastic about computer programming is at the same time learning algebra, graphic design, creative writing and typing skills'
I much prefer my son doing programming than watching TV or playing computer games. Learning a computer programming language now seems to me just as vital as learning other 'foreign' languages such as French. A child who is enthusiastic about computer programming is at the same time learning maths, algebra, graphic design, creative writing (for adventure programs) and typing skills. But above all, the child gains a sense of 'mastery' and self-esteem from being able to get a computer to perform well enough to create entertaining or useful programs, and the child learns the perseverance necessary to 'debug' a program of its inevitable initial errors.
One parent commented about her son's comprehensive school that the only children in the whole school who went on to university were those who made the leap from playing computer games to computer programming, because these children's enthusiasm led to their learning outside school and to forming in effect their own learning network where they were continuously referring to each other for help with their programming problems.
It can be a lonely anti-social experience for youngsters to sit glued to computer screens at every available moment. So Merlyn's booklet introduces a Computer Whizz Kid Club, (again for all ages). The club is open to those who have done its basic programs, who would like a Programming Pal to exchange programs with, or 'Super Whizz Kids' they can phone for advice. Club members send in a photograph and details of their computer and peripherals, and are sent a club badge and the details of a suitable partner with whom they can begin to exchange their own programs and games.
'Learning Computer Programming in One Day', by Merlyn Albery-Speyer, is published by the Institute for Social Inventions, 20 Heber Road, London NW2 6AA (tel 081 208 2853; fax 081 452 6434), L2-50 incl. p&p. The Computer Whizz Kids Club is at the same address.
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