Gyeonggi-do Operates Coding Drone Program to Prevent Smartphone Overdependence

by Lee YeongKyu

Published 19 Apr.2023 08:12(KST)

Gyeonggi Provincial Government Gwanggyo New Office Building

Gyeonggi Province is operating a youth group program using coding and drones as an alternative to prevent smartphone overdependence issues such as gaming.

Since 2019, Gyeonggi Province has been running programs utilizing coding and drones for youth, whose use of smart devices has become routine, to explore future promising jobs in the information and communication technology (ICT) field and provide opportunities for career and job exploration, enabling productive use of digital devices.

This year's education participants are 4th to 6th graders in elementary school. Four groups of about 8 members each will be formed, and education will be conducted starting in May and October respectively. The education location is the Gyeonggi Southern Smart Rest Center (located in Ingye-dong, Suwon City).

The main education contents include ▲smartphone overdependence prevention education ▲exploration of ICT field jobs such as drones ▲drone operation and flight ▲pattern flight and autonomous driving using coding.

Classes are held once a week for one hour, with 8 sessions per group, and participation fees are fully supported by provincial funds. Additionally, this year, temperament and character inventory (TCI) tests will be conducted for guardians, and expert lectures will also be provided.

Ko Hyun-sook, director of the Gyeonggi Women's Vision Center, promised, "We will actively support our youth living with smart devices to have more fun and interesting experiences beyond simply chatting and gaming, so they can learn about various fields and make career plans related to those fields."