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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hatch Coding Supports Toronto’s 1st Digital Literacy Day
On May 31st computing immersion pioneers join the Toronto Public Library and the City of Toronto along with Ryerson University, TD Bank, RBC Royal Bank, CIBC, NPower Canada, LinkedIn Canada, Canada Learning Code, ACTUA, CARP, Thomson Reuters, Shopify, Salesforce, Oracle Academy, Steamlabs, the Ontario Science Centre, Maker Bean Café, PWC, Cisco, George Brown, the ROM, Move the Dial, NOW Magazine, hErVOLUTION, Ideacouture, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, IBM, TESS, and the League of Innovators to build awareness and skills within digital literacy.
Toronto, Ontario – May, 2018
Digital literacy includes awareness and skills in using a computer and software applications, rudimentary computer programming, digital privacy, digital banking, design, video editing, and robotics.
“We are thrilled to support this initiative by the City of Toronto and the Toronto Public Library,” say Hatch Coding co-founders and CEOs Emmanuelle Deaton and Peter Kuperman. “We have been pioneering computing immersion since 2014 and our students, some of whom are just 7 year old kids learning code, are programming using JavaScript processing.js because of our immersive, project-based learning approach to teaching. We’ve also been offering classes in Python for many years and are starting to integrate our Python program onto our learning platform. We’re happy that on May 31st the Toronto community will be coming together to start talking about the full scope of what’s possible and needed in digital literacy.”
Hatch Coding is the only extracurricular service provider offering computing immersion along with project-based learning to families in Toronto. Students are supported by instructional coaches and work on projects of their choice and at their own pace so that they can master topics. In the months to come, Hatch will be training teachers to use the company’s web-based platform so that teachers can teach JavaScript processing.js in schools.
Hatch Coding is releasing a research paper about best practices in computer language instruction, showing that native language and immersion literacy strategies ought to be used for instructional purposes. The company is also releasing a guide to educators that was co-authored by math expert Laura Gini-Newman and which outlines the ways in which computer programming can support mathematical skill development.
To learn more about Toronto’s Digital Literacy Day, contact Shane Gerard by email at [email protected]. To learn more about Hatch Coding’s computing immersion program or to become a Hatch Certified Teacher, contact [email protected].
About Hatch Coding
Hatch Coding began in 2014 as an after-school coding club at a Toronto private school. The company has three learning centres in the GTA and also offers after-school programs at numerous partner tutoring centres. Hatch Coding summer camps run all summer long through the Hatch learning centres and at partner camps.
Computing immersion is a successful and equitable approach to teaching computer languages: Hatch students run the gamut from the very gifted to students with special needs and students who are on the autism spectrum.
About Toronto’s Digital Literacy Day
Mayor John Tory is proclaiming May 31st Digital Literacy Day. "We are a tech leader in Canada and throughout the world and it is important that we continue to be competitive in this area," says Mayor John Tory. "Fostering digital literacy now and in the future is essential for us to maintain our city's prosperity and livability."
Since the fall of 2017, a Digital Literacy Day Working Group comprised of City staff, the Toronto Public Library and public and private sector partners have planned Digital Literacy Day. While most activities will be directed to younger audiences, there will be options for all ages. Almost 50 Toronto Public Library branches will host events.
Toronto will celebrate its first Digital Literacy Day on May 31 with more than 110 free events for all ages.
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