To Trade Show, or Not to Trade Show? Now that is often the question!
I know a lot of people have varying thoughts on Trade Shows. Should I attend? Is it worth me trekking X miles across the country (often to another country or even continent) to hear a lot of “Sales Chat?” My answer to this is always: Yes.
read moreAnother three unlikely suspects to combine into a JoJo Blog Post about coding? Well, maybe not!
Who: Facebook, HRH Prince Andrew the Duke of York and Peter Capadli, the most recent appointment to play the notorious Time Traveller, Dr. Who!
Why: To encourage children to learn to code of course!
See it now? Not quite? OK, I shall explain..
There is a growing revolution in the UK and Europe to encourage children to code and to raise awareness of the capacity for children to code from a much younger age. The ideal is that all children will have access to tools to allow them to develop programs and apps, making the digital world an integrated part of their everyday life, in a way that suits them.
The discussion of coding is far more prevalent now than it ever was and it is easy to see why. By capturing young minds we set a path for the future and by educating them and providing them with the right tools, we support them in their journey.
Many businesses are striving to be a part of this revolution, so why are these particular people standing out in striving to support this cause? Well in a sea of articles, these are the ones that most interested me.. and after all it is MY Blog Post, so I thought I would share!
Facebook has joined forces with other industry influencers (including Microsoft and Rovio) and has formed a coalition to launch a pan-European online platform to drive participation in coding.
In September, coding in English schools was made mandatory for all children aged between 5 and 16 years old. Particularly interesting then is to hear that 3 young coding enthusiasts from the UK have beaten off European competition to win the gaming contest.
The Kodu Kup is where teams from the UK faced competition from Portugal, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Greece, Lithuania and Estonia to battle to a Dragons’-Den style final, complete with selling pitch!
One of the most enlightening statements I read came from one of the Team Winners, Alfie, who felt that the team work involved and playing to its strengths was key to their success. He said:
“Kids don’t always need to be told what to do to understand things, through computational thinking and perseverance you can find out for yourself, and if you can get a grasp of computers and computer science you can understand the world around us.”Speaking recently at the TeenTech Awards, presented at Buckingham Palace, HRH Prince Andrew said there needs to be a “culture of enterprise” to help young people turn technology ideas into commercial products and suggested that coding would be a key part of skills required.
The Prince is patron of the Awards, which encourages young people to “recognise that science and technology are the basis of how we are going to be prosperous in the future”. The Awards competition which aims to encourage teenagers to get involved in inventing and designing was developed by science television presenter Maggie Philbin and backed by actor Stephen Fry and Top Gear presenter James May.
Of course you’re screaming.. get to the good bit – WHY is Dr. Who involved??
It was announced at the beginning of September that the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) had published computer programming study guides, quizzes and other support materials on its Bitesize site to coincide with the newly introduced computing curriculum in England. They have also revealed details of several programming themed children’s programs set to air late autumn.
Uh-huh.. Dr Who???
Well my favourite initiative – as I am a total Dr Who geek*.. yes, you may laugh – was announced yesterday.
In an article featured in the Technology section, the BBC unveiled the launch of their new Dr Who game, in which you take control of a ‘friendly’ Dalek and navigate a series of challenges. Rather than just your standard game, the challenges involve you solving different problems using coding, to move onto the next level.
The online game, aimed at 6-12 year olds, is voiced by Peter Capaldi, the Doctor himself and was written by Doctor Who TV series writer, Phil Ford.
The game will be available to play for free on the CBBC website from Wednesday October 22 and I know I am going to be giving it a bash.. will you?
Have you seen any interesting articles, blog posts or competitions lately, aimed at getting children into coding? Do share!
*JoJo Hernandez is our Finance Director, Fashion Lover & self confessed *Whovian!
read moreWith only 2 months to go until the Kick off of RunRevLive 2014 in San Diego, things are hotting up in the office with requests and interest, so I thought I would take a moment to answer your Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions…
Q.1: I booked a Premium / Budget Ticket – which nights are included in my overnight stay?
A.1: In either Premium (Manchester Grand Hyatt) or Budget (The Embassy Suites) the Check In & Out days are the same. Check-In is Monday 1st September with Check-Out on Friday 5th September.
Q.2: My travel In/Out of the San Diego requires me to stay an extra night(s), how do I book these please?
A.2: Please book these directly though us, to ensure you do not need to change rooms and that you are included in our Preferential Rate & Group Booking Block.
Please use the links below and select the multiple(s) of nights required. Once your Order has been confirmed, please email JoJo to confirm required additional date(s):
Embassy Suites:
https://livecode.com/store/conference/runrevlive14-budget-xtranight
Manchester Grand Hyatt:
https://livecode.com/store/conference/runrevlive14-premium-xtranight
Q.3: I booked Ticket only, but would now like to add Accommodation – is this possible?
A.3: Why yes, of course! Please follow the steps as above and remember to confirm your Check-In & Check-Out dates by emailing JoJo.
Q.4: I am attending the Community Day but would like to stay overnight, is this possible?
A.4: Again yes, of course – Please follow the steps in A.2 and all will be taken care of for you!
Q.5: I am attending RunRevLive in San Diego, what is included in my Ticket?
A.5: Whether you buy a Community Day Ticket or a 4-Day Pass, you can be sure of being well looked after. We start each day with Tea, Coffee, Juice & Snacks and keep you energised in between sessions with Morning & Afternoon Breaks as well as an informal Lunch.
WiFi is available in the Conference area and we have both a dedicated Customer Services Representative and Conference Host to look after you and assist throughout.
We also have our Networking Evening on Tuesday 2nd September, where you have the chance to meet with all the other Speakers and Attendees.. Plus (of course) the LiveCode Team.
Q.6: Is the cost of WiFi included in the Hotel Rooms?
A.6: For those of you staying at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, yes there is Complimentary WiFi in each Room booked with our Block Group Booking.
If you are a guest at the Embassy Suites, we have negotiated a 50% Discount for all our Block Booked Attendees.
Q.7: I have never been to San Diego, what is it like?
A.7: San Diego is the 8th largest City in the USA and the 2nd largest in California. Situated to the South of Los Angeles and adjacent to the Mexican Border, it as a warm and pleasant climate, with average September Temperature of Highs 77 & Lows 66 – That’s 25-19 Degrees C for us Europeans!
San Diego International Airport is well serviced for both Domestic & International Flights and is only a 10 minute car journey away from the Conference Venue.
Q.8: If we’re not staying onsite, are there plenty of places to eat & drink?
A.8: Goodness yes. The ‘Gaslamp Quarter’ is a 16.5 block historical area in Downtown San Diego, which is a 5-10 minute walk from the front of the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Here you’ll find a selection of bars and eateries to suit all tastes and budgets.
Wanted somewhere a little more on the water? Not to worry, Seaport Village is located directly to the back of the Hotel, running adjacent to the Harbour and Marina area. Offering a selection of Cafes and Restaurants, this area is also a perfect little shopping village, open from 10am – 10pm daily. Many of the local tours and attractions have a drop off / collection point here also.
Q.9: I am thinking of bringing my Family or Partner with me. Is this possible and will they be bored whilst I attend the Conference sessions?
A.9: Of course they are welcome! There is no additional cost for spouses sharing a room, however there may be if you decide to bring the whole family along. Not to worry, we have negotiated amazing discounted rates, so if you think you’d like to make this a mini-break, please email JoJo and she can help you plan your trip.
As to will they be bored? Not. At. All. Please see my answers below to Questions 10!
Q.10: I see there is “Free Time” on Friday afternoon and some evenings, any suggestions on what to do?
A.10: This is one thing I loved about San Diego, the amount there is to do within the immediate vicinity.
Want to pop over and look at the Old Town, Coronado *and* Balboa Park, but a little pushed for time? How about the Hop-On/Hop-Off Trolley Tour? A great way to see the city and have your very own voiced guided tour.
Fancy a ball game? PETCO Park houses the San Diego Padres and we’re sure there will be a game on whilst your in town!
Love Big Boats? How about the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier & Museum? Even better, this one is a 15 minute wander from the Conference venue along the Seaport Promenade. (There’s even a Pedi-Cab option to save your feet for the Midway itself).
Add to all of this Jet Ski’s, Beaches, a Zoo and the Mexican / Little Italy areas and you are spoilt for choice.
However, it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t also point out the Top Gun factor. Yes, that iconic 80’s Film was filmed and set here in San Diego and Coronado Island.
Don’t believe me? Check out this great article marking the highlights from the film
And if you’re a die-hard fan (like me) how about a stop off at Kansas City BBQ. Opposite the Conference venue (2 minutes walk from the main front doors) and you can be transported into the film itself. Go On.. I dare you to try the piano!
Stop Press!. Q 11 I can’t be there in person, is there another way of taking part?
Yes! We’ve just announced the Simulcast – live streaming of this event. Get the Membership Pledge and view the whole proceedings from the comfort of your armchair!
read moreFor those of you that don’t know me, I am RunRev’s “Accounts Team”.. for those of you that do, you are also aware of my love of Fashion (and *really* High Heeled Shoes!) So it will come as no surprise to know my Blog Post was inspired by the fashion Industry. In particular a Model – Lyndsey Scott.
Lyndsey is a very successful Model. So successful in fact, she has worked with Prada, Gucci & Calvin Klein and is even one of the Victoria’s Secrets Models. All of this is clearly very interesting to me, however, why is it to you? Well, Lyndsey is a Coder too. The self proclaimed ‘nerd’ has written several apps, including iPort – an app that allows models to upload their ‘book,’ or portfolio onto an iPad.
Ms Scott is also a mentor at Girls Who Code, an organisation that helps teenage girls learn programming. She recently talked to the BBC about challenging people’s preconceptions about beauty as well as taking on stereotypes about women in technology.
“There are some people who maybe do programming and other things who maybe don’t get the attention they deserve, as they are not Victoria’s Secrets Models”.
It’s always interesting to me to see other people’s reactions to the ‘Geek World’ of the Software Industry. I work in it and many of my friends are shocked when they find out what I do.. and more specifically what LiveCode does and can do.
So I applaud Lyndsey Scott on behalf of the Software Industry, for admitting her own self-geekness and standing out to ask “Why shouldn’t everybody Code?”. Why indeed!
To see the Interview: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26473950
read more
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