Creative Coding at UJ Faculty of Education

05/09/2026

The Creative Coding and Robotics for Teachers SLP: 9 September 2026 🤖💻

It is evident from the projects attached (created by the buddies) that our buddies are experiencing an exciting journey the SLP. 🎉

📅 Last Saturday, our buddies were introduced to the exciting world of coding using OctoStudio. OctoStudio is a coding application designed to make coding accessible, fun and engaging. It allows users to create interactive stories, animations and games using visual, block-based coding using their mobile phones.💡💻

During the session, our buddies learned how to:
✨ Create their own stories (making conversations between sprites)
🎮 Design an exciting Catch Game

But the learning did not stop there!

📅 This Saturday (9 September 2026), our buddies continued their coding journey using OctoStudio and took their skills to the next level by creating a Jumping Game! 🕹️🦘

It is inspiring to see teachers becoming confident creators. 🌍✨

22/08/2026

The Creative Coding and Robotics for Teachers SLP: Session 4_22 August 2026

Another exciting week of learning, creativity and innovation!

During today's session, our buddies stepped into the world of creating games using Scratch. 🐱🕹️

From adding sprites and backdrops to adding movement, sounds, interactions and game rules, participants explored how coding concepts can be transformed into fun and engaging learning experiences. 🎨🔊💡

The session reminded us that coding is not just about writing instructions—it is about creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking and bringing ideas to life! 🚀

We believe that our buddies moved from just being learners to being creative designers.

Another of week "Not only learning to code, but also coding to learn" was successful.

15/08/2026

Creative Coding and Robotics for Teachers Short Learning Programme (SLP): Session 3: 15 August 2026 🎨💻

Today, we focused on *creating interactive Scratch projects that are not only fun and engaging, but also curriculum-related and connected to real-life issues. 🌟*

Our buddies created projects that covered important topics such as:
🗑️ Littering – encouraging learners to take care of their environment.
🤝 Bullying – promoting kindness, respect and positive relationships.
🚭 The harmful effects of smoking among high school learners – raising awareness about healthy choices.
🔢 The importance of number sense in ECD – making early mathematics meaningful and interactive.

What makes this experience truly exciting is seeing how coding can become a powerful tool for teaching, learning and social awareness. We are seeing teachers to transform curriculum concepts and real-world challenges into interactive learning experiences that encourage creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking and communication. 🧠✨

We are not simply learning to code—we are learning to code! 💡👩🏽‍💻👨🏽‍💻

08/08/2026

Creative Coding and Robotics For Teachers Short Learning Programme. Week 2 (08 August 2026): Animating a name 🤖💻

Today, our UJ Creative Coding and Robotics for Teachers Short Learning Programme team learned new coding skills.
We explored how to animate our names by adding:
🟣 Motions
🔊 Sounds and effects
🌈 Colour changes
💻 Coding instructions that bring our names to life!

From a simple name on the screen to an interactive and animated project — our teachers are discovering that we are not just "learning to code, but we are coding to learn" in Mom Phuti's words.✨

As facilitators, it is inspiring to see educators learning, creating, experimenting and having fun with coding. 👩🏾‍🏫👨🏾‍🏫💻

Today we coded. Today we created. Today we made our names MOVE! 🚀🔥

25/12/2025

✨🎄 Merry Christmas from our university family to yours! May this season be filled with peace, joy, and moments to cherish. Wishing our students, staff, alumni, and community a beautiful holiday season. ❤️

01/11/2025

🚀 Wrapping Up with Wisdom and Wonder!

Today, we wrapped up an incredible 14-week journey filled with learning, laughter, and growth! Our final topic was all about the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions (4IR & 5IR)- a glimpse into how technology and humanity continue to evolve together.

Linford Molaodi kicked off the session by asking an interesting question: What comes to mind when you hear “4IR”? The room buzzed with ideas and curiosity. Then came a fun twist. Do you agree that a traffic light isn’t a robot? That sparked great discussions and fresh perspectives!

The highlight? Unplugged coding! Linford guided our buddies to perform exciting movements, showing how coding can be taught without screens. The energy was electric, and everyone participated with smiles and enthusiasm.

As we close this chapter, we celebrate every buddy’s dedication, progress, and teamwork. Fourteen weeks ago, they began with curiosity — today, they shine with confidence and creativity.

04/10/2025

🤖 Unpacking the Magic Behind Coding and Robotics!

Today’s session with our second cohort buddies was both inspiring and full of energy! Linford Molaodi kicked off the day by inviting everyone to share their clan names. Why? Because joyful learning starts with connection. When learners share who they are, they open the door to communication, confidence, and creativity. 🌍

After the laughter and introductions, Mr. Malume Baloyi led us into the exciting world of Coding and Robotics Curriculum. He took us on a quick journey through the history of coding, highlighting the brilliant ideas of Seymour Papert, and also spoke about constructivism, a learning approach that encourages students to explore, create, and learn by doing.

What stood out most was how coding and robotics can nurture curiosity, teamwork, and problem-solving. It’s not just about computers or robots; it’s about helping learners think critically and design their own learning paths.

Today reminded us that education can be fun, meaningful, and full of purpose. By combining creativity, and technology, we empower learners to build skills that matter, one joyful session at a time. ✨

27/09/2025

🌟Music and Creativity with OctoStudio🤖

Today was another exciting step in the journey with the second cohort of the SLP Creative Coding for Teachers program. The session on OctoStudio– Creating Music was a wonderful mix of fun, learning, and discovery.

Buddies explored how to bring music to life through coding. Each buddy chose a song close to their heart and used it as the key to create something unique. They were free to design their own backdrops, select instruments, add sprites, and include sounds. The creativity that flowed from these choices was inspiring.

Some of the tunes shared were all-time favorites like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, the joyful Barney – I Love You, and even a festive Merry Christmas Song. Hearing these classics coded into new creations brought smiles and sparked energy in the room. 🌟

The most powerful part came when buddies shared their projects live and reflected on their journey. Listening to their voices made the learning more meaningful and memorable.

Every beat created reminded everyone that coding is not only about logic but also about joy, imagination, and connection. 💻🎵✨

24/09/2025

20/09/2025

Create, Code, and Celebrate Tradition! ✨

Today, our journey was full of excitement and discovery. 🚀 Our buddies explored OctoStudio for the very first time, and Kiyara Bellochun Khan guided them on how to change languages, understand coding blocks, and share their projects with confidence. This made the app feel simple, fun, and welcoming to use.

To celebrate Heritage Month, buddies used the camera function to design backdrops and sprites. Their task was to create a traditional project that reflects the September spirit. It was inspiring to see how quickly they applied what they learned to build their very first projects. Though the creations were simple, they highlighted curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to try something new. 🌍

The best part of the session was watching our buddies share their projects and reflect live on their learning experience. Each step reminded us that learning is a joyful journey where growth, teamwork, and celebration come together. 🌟💻