Meet Rakel Solvadottir from Rekode Education
Teachingthe next generation how to write the universal language of coding.
What is Rekode?
Rekode teaches kids how to code. It’s onsite and hands on. Methodology is based on psychology, education and technology. We’re reaching out to our kids to help them build technological skills.
Explain the format:
An experience designer helped us design the look and feel of the environment. Furniture, tables, chairs – all optimized to help kids feel cozy and comfortable, where they’re willing to learn and be engaged with other students and blossom in their learning environment.
What motivates you?
I’m the typical ADHD person that never fit into the educational box. What saved me – I got a computer. I started coding and found I was good at something that I enjoyed. I programmed my own games and have been working as an engineer since 1998 ... and added psychology degree to that. My Son who has ADHD & dyslexia was struggling with the same experience, I felt like something needed to be changed.
Coding came first to mind - it was the thing that saved me, to figure out if kids from the age of 6 could learn how to code, if it could help their self-esteem and self-awareness. Students have ADHD, Autism, Asperger’s, and Dyslexia. It’s improving their lives.
How often do kids attend?
Coding lessons are after school, weekend classes, workshops and summer camps. We also have teacher training and we support kids to help them implement methodology as a part of their curriculum.
What’s the end goal? What are you trying to do?
Help kids change the world through technology. Internationally.
What technologies do you use with your teams?
Google suite of business tools. There’s an 8 hour time difference between Seattle and Iceland, so we use video conferencing to work together across the organization. Data & analytics, we used Google analytics, and we have been integrating hubspot as well – survey monkey. We’re drowning in ways to gather data and communicate between team; it’s kind of difficult being a startup and figuring out what’s the best tool to focus on. It’s a great challenge to find the best solution to utilize as a startup team.