A New Priority: Teaching Your Students How To Code
Tech leaders say that every student should have a chance to learn how to code
“I think everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer because it teaches you how to think.” – Bill Gates
It may be code, but it’s no secret, whenever you launch an application on your computer or mobile device or, right now, as you’re reading these words, a hidden language, written by people and read by computers, is dictating how words and images appear and perform on screen. Just like French, or German, or Portuguese, coding requires study and practice. The upside for students is the potential to land an exciting job in a number of innovative industries. However, as industry rockstars Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerburg point out, not many students know how to code, and those who wish to learn, prior to college, are required to do so on their own. In fact, only one in 10 schools teach students how to code.
In a new YouTube video, Gates, Zuckerburg, and other technology and cultural celebrities (including will.i.am) make the argument for promoting computer programming education through the non-profit organization Code.org. According to the video, coding benefits include excellent pay, job security, and amenities such as exciting work environments. Watch the video to hear what these leaders have to say about learning how to code:
I think the message is pretty clear here: If students want to take advantage of the many computer programming opportunities in the near future, they have to learn how to code. Good thing there are plenty of free resources to help you and your students get started, which I’ve listed below. If you want to show your principal or school the video, Code.org offers one-, five-, and nine-minute versions of the video. If you don’t have access to the Internet, you can also request a DVD here.
Resources for teaching students how to code:
Scratch
Codecademy
CodeHS
Khan Academy
Related lesson plan:
Using Khan Academy for Tutoring
Do you think it’s important that your students learn how to code? Tell us what you think in the comments section!