Bill Liao, Cork NSC - Tips for running a Dojo

From post to Coderdojo.org e-mail list, 16th Feb 2014:

Some things that I can say definititvely after nearly three years;


 * Get kids (particularly girls) mentoring the newbies in each session and ask them to all start with html, css and javascript.


 * Age is irrelevant its capability and interest that count. Some 6 year olds work as effectively as some 16 year olds.


 * Keep instruction to a minimum no more than 15 minutes out of an hour and nit at the very start of the session.


 * Repeat the same instruction over different session.


 * Make sure there is tons of free time in any dojo session.


 * Publicly praise and celebrate the great things you spot kids doing so other kids come and look.


 * Ask kids to come up with projects that they want to work on in teams.


 * Belts work.