Our children are growing up in a radically different world to the one we knew when we were children. Today, we are surrounded by computers. Computers control our cars, our televisions, our lives! I have a computer in my handbag that is million times faster with more memory than one I had just a few years ago. We are constantly connected to every other computer on the planet and can access virtually every piece of knowledge ever created, nearly instantly. Just how amazing is that. The pace of change in computing is extraordinary and continuing all the time. And we want to ensure sure that we are keeping up with this pace.
A report suggested that over 90% of parents want their children to learn computer science and I can totally understand that. Most news jobs are created with the science, technology sector. It just makes sense. Coding is the art of telling a computer how to perform complex tasks. Once you know how to code, you can create virtual worlds within the computer where the only limit on what is possible is your imagination and we want to put this power into the hands and hearts of every child.
So you ask again why we think it is so vital that we teach our children to code? Well we are already living in a world dominated by software and computers. Your telephone calls go over software-controlled networks; your television is delivered over the internet; people just don’t need to buy maps anymore, they use the web; we can shop online. The next generation’s world will be even more online and digital. If children can’t understand how this software or computers work, how will they survive in this new world.