Every Student in Every School Should Learn to Code

There is a much greater need in the world for engineers and people who can write code than there will ever be supply – Drew Houston created Dropbox

The importance of students learning some sort of code, even if it just a visual programming language, is being increasingly recognised as an important skill for 21st century learners. Computer Science Education Week is from December 9 – 15. Code.org want to see 10 million people of all ages try an introduction to computer science for one hour during this week. Why not get involved and join in on the ‘Hour of Code’

Everybody should learn how to program a computer because it teaches you how to think – Steve Jobs, Founder of Apple Inc

Mitch Resnick, LEGO Papert Professor of Learning Research and head of the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab – Cambridge, Massachusetts believes everyone should learn to code:

Coding (computer programming) is an extension of writing
Ability to code allows us to write new types of things – interactive stories, games, animations, and simulations.
In the process of coding, people learn many other new things, not just learning to code but coding to learn.
These skills useful not just for computer scientists but for everyone, regardless of age, background, interests, or occupation

We need more of our children to learn programming skills, regardless of their future profession. Along with reading and writing, the ability to program is going to define what an educated person is – Salman Khan, Founder of Khan Academy

Through coding kids:

Learn mathematical and computational ideas (e.g. sequencing, branching, repetition, variables and conditionals)
Learn strategies for problem solving, systematic reasoning, designing projects and communicating ideas.
Work collaboratively
Think creatively
Increase in confidence
Feel empowered

Young people today have lots of experience and lots of familiarity with interacting with new technologies, but a lot less so of creating with new technologies and expressing themselves with new technologies. It’s almost as if they can read but not write with new technologies. – Mitch Resnick – TED talk “Let’s teach kids to code

“The programmers of tomorrow are the wizards of the future” – Gabe Newell of Valve

“It’s the closest thing we have to a superpower” – Drew Houston of Dropbox

View this excellent short 9 minute film: “Code Stars”