John Girvin sent this link: Why aren’t we teaching our kids how to code?
So the future is in technology. But what are our children actually learning? Depressingly, the answer is almost nothing useful. Maths and programming will be core to the majority of future innovation, businesses and jobs. Yet maths education in the UK is a joke: the curriculum is outdated, children hate it, and it has little practical value.
The conversation started because of a general malaise about the quality of software engineering and computer science graduates in the UK. I am slightly encouraged by reports that graduates worldwide are pretty rubbish and it’s not just in the UK. But I’m more interested in how to fix the problem and more specifically; how to fix it here.
The original idea for Code4Pizza was to provide pizza in the evening and invite anyone, schoolkids, teachers, professionals, students in to work together, learn together. The problem, as with everything, is opportunity.
But I’m reckoning that time might be approaching.
So, apart from getting some local disgruntled software developers together to try and put together a syllabus for “coders” and then presenting that to local FE colleges and the Department of Employment and Learning, I reckon there’s also room for an industry focused “FreeSchool”. FreeSchools are an actual thing, that any charity, community or industry body can set up. But I’m not really aiming this at replacing schools or even being a full time education alternative – this is about additional education, for free.
Yes, this links into my ideas for creating a hub of 21st Century Enlightenment. Yes, this is another “Change the World” idea. But at some point we need to deliver on this. I’d love to meet some volunteers who would put something in the comments below on what they feel they could teach? Whether they’d want to help out with learning coders? Whether they’d help people make stuff.
Keen to get involved as a student!
I think this is a great idea.
For those reading this and don’t know us, we run a commercial training and development business called Giant Training. We deliver all aspects of graphic / web / video / multi-media and microsoft training courses delivered in the “standard” 2 step approach.
1) Tailored training specific to each trainee allow you to focus on whats important and essential to your business; and
2) a scheduled range of dates to cover essential skills training to understanding the software.
Over the years I have delivered training to students, designers, hobbyists, and a bunch of other “type” of people working or wanting to work in the digital creative industry.
A lot of this is on the essential skills courses – a range of courses designed to kick start your learning in the software and make you aware of what the software can do for you. How to use it in everyday practical life.
This course is very popular with students that have just left university or from the employers perspective, looking at a new recruit and … wanting them to be ready for industry…….
My point is ……wanting them to be ready for industry…….
If we can deliver a series of courses that lift the ability and skill level of students or others then it will help re-invest into Northern Ireland’s creative industry as a whole. Greater talent / More work / high paid jobs etc etc etc…
I know Matt mentioned the FREE word in this blog post so I will echo it – deliver this level of training for free – to raise the working level of creativity or coding industry within Northern Ireland so we all gain – It just means a higher level of commercial training for all.
I offer my services where possible on this and am very happily offer my most valuable asset – time, to deliver and run a series of courses.
Only to glad to help
Ian
Hi,
Can’t code. Can build a business, for or not for profit.
Would love to help in any way I can. This is important, the kids I’m working with in scouts (14-18) are less computer literate than my generation. I blame the current teaching structures.
Russell
Some of the guys from the Hackerspace movement have been developing teaching plans for programming in C++ / Java, using Wii / Android as a ‘justification’. The idea is that it would get people into non-web programming in an approachable way.
(There’s also some discussion of doing some teaching using the OpenKinect API, but that’s very early days)
Also, some of the PhD’s @QUB might be interested in doing some teaching, specifically I’m thinking embedded programming… Will chase this up and let you know if anything comes of it.
+1 – Sound interesting, time permitting I would love to help out by teaching a class. Keep me posted.
I am always interested in tutoring with Web Design/Development languages. Front and Back. If anything of the sort is required, I would only be delighted to help out.
Like Rusell, not a coder, but happy to help with any infrastructure related stuff
I’m not a coder. But I’m a graphic designer and motion designer. If tutorials in front end design of websites is needed, I can help. Other tech skills are motion design for live events, which I’m researching at the moment.
I was convinced I had already offered support, I haven’t taught software dev in a while, but happy to talk dev fundamentals & Ops/Infra stuff as high as it’ll go.