The Rise of Coding and Programming

August 25, 2015

Since September 2014, children from the age of five at Key Stage 1 level to teenagers at the age of 16, undertaking their GCSEs, have been introduced to the new English ‘Computing’ curriculum. The foundation subject is compulsory and, in short, aims to teach children how to programme and how to make computers work for them instead of simply being able to navigate a computer.

In little more than a single generation, the presence of computers in classrooms has advanced from basic typing instruction and classes on how to “surf the web” has evolved into a curriculum that embraces the most modern and up-to-date lessons computing skills and technology. The changes in the curriculum represent the movement from computer literacy to computer science, information technology and digital literacy.

The ICT curriculum was starting to be viewed as outdated and useless; a relatively undemanding course which still featured the basics in Microsoft Office skills as its central focus. Whilst being able to compose a Word document or Excel spreadsheet are undeniably important and useful, they are not skills which stand out on a CV or skills which reflect the global technology race. Rather, they are skills which are expected automatically, core skills upon which more current computing competencies can be built.

BBC technology consultant Rory Cellan-Jones insists that the aim of the new curriculum is not to produce a generation of programmers as “only a minority of children will have any great interest in or aptitude for coding, just as only a few will become mathematicians.” What, then, are the aims of the curriculum?

Overall aims of the Computing curriculum:

Ensure that all pupils can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science (i.e algorithms and logic).
Ensure that all pupils can analyse problems in computational terms and have ample experience of writing computer programs to solve such problems.
Ensure that all pupils can evaluate and apply information technology.
Ensure that all pupils are confident, creative and competent users of information and communication technology.

The curriculum, detailed in full on the Gov.uk website, encourages Key Stage 1 pupils to be able to recognise and understand the basics of computer programming and advance their skills in logical and creative thinking to solve problems. From Key Stage 1, pupils will gradually build on their skills until Key Stage 4 (the final stage of compulsory Computing education), where they will be taught to: develop their capability, creativity and knowledge in computer science; develop and apply their analytic, design, problem-solving and computational thinking skills; and understand how changes in technology affect safety.

Whilst the prospect of an entirely new curriculum that tackles an ever-changing technology may be daunting, it also broadens the skillset of Britain to (in Michael Gove’s words) better “allow our children to compete in the global race”. Furthermore, the teaching of programming skills fills the gap between the (ever-increasing) number of technology jobs and the people qualified to fill them.

It is important to consider why it is that coding and programming is so important and why it continues to grow in importance. Anthony Cuthbertson for the International Business Times explains that “code powers our digital world. Every website, smartphone app, computer programme, calculator and even microwave relies on code in order to operate. This makes coders the architects and builders of the digital age. Over the next 10 years it is estimated that there will be 1.4 million jobs in computer sciences and only around 400,000 graduates qualified to do them.”

Whilst this may seem daunting, particularly to people who have had no exposure to programming, the art of coding has been compared to learning a foreign language or a musical instrument and, akin to languages and music, the earlier a child is exposed to it the better they can learn and adapt. Furthermore, there are support systems in place for teachers, pupils and parents to help everyone grow accustomed to the changes.

Computing at School (CAS) aims to provide strategic support and guidance to those who are involved with creative education in schools. CAS provides, amongst other things, teaching materials and advice, newsletters, and contacts so that like-minded colleagues who have an interest in Computing can meet.
Codeacademy offers free online programming classes in various languages such as Python and JavaScript. Codeacademy aims to rethink the education system and encourage forward-thinking.
This summer (July- August 2015) Google is hosting a number of free coding classes for children. Classes include ‘Playing with Code’ and ‘Music Maker’, and encourage children to get to grips with coding and experience the fun side of programming.
This Guardian article explores the programmers who are offering free training in coding and computing, to combat the stereotype that programming is a subject for the rich and well-connected only.

Programming at University

There are a growing number of Universities offering Computer Science and Software Engineering related degrees (here is the current full list on UCAS). With so many degrees on offer, it can be difficult to know which can offer students the best skillsets to succeed. A recent Edinburgh Napier graduate of Software Engineering, who now works as the lead mobile applications developer of a promising start-up company as well as doing freelance mobile applications work, believes that as well as the obvious modules students should aim for a course that encourages project management and close collaboration with fellow software engineers. He feels that these are both crucial skills to gain and become well practiced in, as they are so central to the post-University programmer life.

What are your thoughts on the Computing curriculum?

Websites Consulted

Guardian article: Programmers offering free training

Codeacademy: Learn to code for free

BBC article: The computing revolution

CAS website

Guardian article: Teaching our children to code

Gov.uk website: The Computing curriculum

Guardian article: A parent’s guide to computing in schools

Telegraph article: Google’s free coding classes

UCAS: Software engineering providers

IBTimes: Why is coding so important?