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Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
Home›Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech›Students Should Learn to Code Because it is the Language of the Future

Students Should Learn to Code Because it is the Language of the Future

By Matthew Lynch
March 15, 2017
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Computers and software are taking over the world. Programming is now required in many jobs, and most students have free access to PCs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Many of the projected STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) jobs involve computers, and there is an increasingly high demand for employees who can write computer programs. This means that students should learn to code while still in school because it is the language of the future. But what can we do to encourage and support computer science in our schools?

Today, the schools teach students how to utilize ICT (information and communications technology) as a consumer, rather than using it as a programmer. On the other hand, the tech-savvy world tends to develop technological innovations by building and encouraging literacy in keeping with modern living. For that reason, we must teach our students to use code. The market changes really quickly, and those who know how to code will have an advantage when looking for a job.

Students should have the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and skills through computer science. Our children should keep up with new technologies by learning, thinking, and exploring. Today’s job market offers a wide range of computer-related job opportunities, and employers are seeking experts. We must wake up and be on a par with our technology-based world in building new prospects and innovations.

Have you heard of Lim Ding Wen? He is a seventeen-year-old boy from Singapore who, at the age of nine, became the youngest iPhone software developer in the world by creating a drawing application called Doodle Kids that is compatible with the Apple IIGS. His example could be successfully emulated if we encourage our children to start learning to code early in their lives. This way, we are likely to create a lot of future gifted technopreneurs.

Computer science already exists as a subject in schools in some countries; however, school systems need to focus on the creation of new software, rather than just simply using the existing tools and software. In addition, we should address the setting and development of computer science standards with teachers.

The same goes for coding. We can embolden and support those students who want to learn to code. Luckily, there are a number of coding tutorials readily available online that offer involves free applications and services. You do not have to be a genius to understand code—even six-year-olds can start learning the basics.

One of the most important events in this field is The Hour of Code. It was launched during Computer Science Education Week in 2012 and provided basic coding tutorials to people from ages 4 to 104. Some big names in the computer technology field, including Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, were featured in these tutorials. By programming the movements of popular game characters (such as the Angry Birds), participants experienced simple coding. More than 150 countries participated in the Hour of Code, and it became one of the biggest efforts in the history of computer science to bring together people interested in learning code program language. Hopefully, these events will continue in the future.

Computer sciences and technological innovations are rapidly progressing these days, and that’s why new STEM skills need to be obtained concurrently. The fastest and simplest way possible is certainly via the Internet. Coding tutorials can’t wait for translations.

Science requires the setting of new trends by stimulating like-minded people and companies to cooperate in developing new technologies. Without computer software and applications, nothing much works. Therefore, we must teach our students to code. This is the future, and so are our children.

TagsEdtechedtechchatelearningSTEAMSTEM
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6 comments

  1. Rebecca Sanders 12 February, 2017 at 19:26 Reply

    Coding has become an essential subject in these digital times.A student taught at an early age has no problem adjusting to the external world and prepares him/herself for the external world that is full of computers and programmers.The basics need to be taught for the student to have a clear picture.

  2. Mark Holtz 15 February, 2017 at 03:47 Reply

    Take an example of codepad.org and codeacademy.com. These are sites that take beginners step-by-step and by the end of the day students master the coding basics and can develop a simple android application. There has been an increase in the use of mobile gadgets and without the use of coding to develop software and application we could not have reached where we are.
    Thanks, Mathew I appreciate the insights.

  3. Richard Baker 20 March, 2017 at 14:06 Reply

    It is very true that coding has become the epitome of everything and it is now the right time to start experiencing such in our classrooms. Teachers should embrace a learning model that encourages STEM learning and creates a conducive environment for students to learn and master coding.
    Thanks, Mathew your report was well-documented and gave a great insight of the future.

  4. Bryan Adams 21 March, 2017 at 09:09 Reply

    Coding has proven to be essential in the future as it equips our next generation with skills that could make them relevant in the job market. It is also advantageous to have a clear picture of what happens around us in terms of computers systems used and current trading technologies.Coding helps us understand these technologies better and have a feel of what it look like to be engaged in such fields.
    Thanks Mathew!

  5. STUDENTS SHOULD LEARN TO CODE; IT IS THE LANGUAGE OF THE FUTURE | Goaler Education 7 July, 2017 at 21:30 Reply

    […] Read more here: https://www.theedadvocate.org/students-should-learn-to-code-because-it-is-the-language-of-the-future/ […]

  6. Rosella Gadison 22 October, 2017 at 04:08 Reply

    My son says he wants to become a dentist. This will take him some ten years to accomplish. He has been to a STEM Camp in middle school and a Coding Camp in high school. I have been trying to get him to see that it is better for him to stick with coding.

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