“Learning to speak the language of information gives you the power to transform the world.“
- Peter Denning, Assoc. of Computing Machinery
Code the Planet, or at a minimum, the classroom. So believes Code.org, a nonprofit dedicated to growing computer programming education. Their vision - that every student in every school has the opportunity to learn how to code. Why you ask? Here are just a few of the reasons why learning how to code is a smart thing to do:
First, look at programs where your kids can learn coding on line and in many cases – for FREE. From Scratch and Code Academy to Khan's Hour of Code and Alice, teaching children as young as 7 how to code is simple, easy and fun.
Second, sign on to Code.org’s website and get updates on coding programs being offered in your community or volunteer your time to help teach other kids how to code. Remember, summer is right around the corner and there are some great local camps, including Sac State’s own iD Tech Camp that are available as well.
And finally, volunteer with Didion’s own tech committee, Wired Didion, and help craft programming that can be offered on campus both during and after school. For more information on how to get involved with the committee please e-mail [email protected]. No matter what, you have the power to change your child’s world – it’s simply a “code” away.
Here are a few additional resources to get your kids on the path to becoming coding ninjas as well as some adult resources for the “kid” in all of us.
- Peter Denning, Assoc. of Computing Machinery
Code the Planet, or at a minimum, the classroom. So believes Code.org, a nonprofit dedicated to growing computer programming education. Their vision - that every student in every school has the opportunity to learn how to code. Why you ask? Here are just a few of the reasons why learning how to code is a smart thing to do:
- Coding is Cool! Yep, you heard it hear first. Coding is cool whether you’re the school geek, freak or jock and is a language that is driving our economy in ways we have only begun to tap into
- Studies have shown that learning a second language increases critical thinking skills and creativity preparing our children to be the problem solvers of tomorrow in an increasingly complex global community
- Computer science is the highest paid college degree and computer programming jobs are growing at 2X the national average…those are numbers that will continue to grow with an estimated 1,000,000 more computer jobs than students to fill them by 2020
- Less than 2.4% of college students graduate with a degree in computer science
- 9 out of 10 schools don’t even offer computer programming classes
- And in 40 out of the 50 states (including California), computer science doesn’t count towards high school graduation math or science requirements
First, look at programs where your kids can learn coding on line and in many cases – for FREE. From Scratch and Code Academy to Khan's Hour of Code and Alice, teaching children as young as 7 how to code is simple, easy and fun.
Second, sign on to Code.org’s website and get updates on coding programs being offered in your community or volunteer your time to help teach other kids how to code. Remember, summer is right around the corner and there are some great local camps, including Sac State’s own iD Tech Camp that are available as well.
And finally, volunteer with Didion’s own tech committee, Wired Didion, and help craft programming that can be offered on campus both during and after school. For more information on how to get involved with the committee please e-mail [email protected]. No matter what, you have the power to change your child’s world – it’s simply a “code” away.
Here are a few additional resources to get your kids on the path to becoming coding ninjas as well as some adult resources for the “kid” in all of us.
Free Online University Courses:
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