This post first appeared on a blog for a MacEwan University class in September 2013.
We’ve all seen (and probably judged) a parent who’s handed their smartphone or tablet off to their young child to keep them entertained and quiet. These kids are the digital natives, ordering expensive cars on eBay before they can utter complete sentences. Most of us use technology on a daily basis but most of us can remember existing without it. These children will be the first generation to have grown up using digital technology from infancy. They will have an entirely new level of digital literacy.
But as pointed out by Mitch Resnick in his Tedx Talk, Let’s Teach Kids to Code, just because we use technology on a daily basis, doesn’t mean that we are digital natives. Digital literacy now requires more than just the ability to use technology. Mr. Resnick describes it better than I when talking about how young people can “read but not write with new technologies.”
It’s a sentiment echoed on opensource.com where Rebecca Lindgren discusses Code.org’s advocacy for teaching children code to help them fill the huge demand for computer programming and engineering jobs.
“Code.org claims that computer programming jobs are growing at twice the national average, while less than 2.4% of college students graduate with degrees in computer science—fewer than 10 years ago.” – Rebecca Lindgren
So is learning to code the next great measure of literacy? Dan Rowinski at readwrite thinks so. He’s not the only one. And if it is, what are we doing to make sure that people of all walks of life have access to opportunities to learn?
In January 2012, the White House announced a partnership with Codeacademy to help fund summer coding programs for disadvantaged youth. Earlier this year, a 23-year-old programmer took some heat for making a deal with a homeless man to teach him how to code over six months.
And here in Edmonton, the newly founded local chapter of Ladies Learning Code (LLC) is hosting low-cost beginner and intermediate learn-to-code workshops aimed at women and girls (though men and boys are also welcome). September 21st is National Learn to Code Day and LLC is holding simultaneous workshops across Canada.
“Code isn’t just about building websites, especially with the advancement of applications and the different devices they’re running on. Technology, in order to have become such a staple in our lives, has literally spilled into every industry – so we’re at that point that no matter what career your child has in mind for their future, we can expect that they will inevitably be dealing with technology in some way, shape, or form. Understanding anything we use makes us more efficient, but it also gives us an ability to be more creative and curious about what we do. ”
– Bree Emmerson
Chapter Lead, Ladies Learning Code
Principal, BE3Designs
As communications professionals, learning code can be extremely valuable. We might not all become web developers, but understanding the logical structure of how apps and websites are built can help us better work with clients and other professionals.
