The Impact of Coding in Education

The impact of coding in education

ICT and technology have transformed the world; over the last 10–15 years students have grown up with technology and in some cases have learnt to use it before they start primary school. Students might be proficient in using an iPad or laptop, but they will often have no clue how it actually works. Many educators believe that this gap needs to be filled and say that teaching children to code will give them a skill for life.

A student’s ability to learning coding is becoming more important than ever. Reports suggest that in the next 15-20 years most jobs throughout the world will be automated, and a predicted 65% of job roles and industries won’t even exist. A high percentage of these jobs will be occupations that are expected to be created in the computer, mathematics and engineering fields ₁.

Coding is now regularly taught in primary schools, especially in the Far East, USA and in England/Wales; computing and coding became part of the National Curriculum in England and Wales in September 2014, for example. Coding can also span across many other subjects, such as maths, design technology and science, giving them a different dynamic in how they are taught.

Guidelines from the curriculum state that children will start to learn to code from age 5 to 16 and then sit exams; these being GCSE or equivalent. They are currently being taught to understand simple algorithms and to use programming languages to solve computational problems.

Why is teaching coding so important?

Innovating and inventing: Coding can help students with their creativity and by using tools like “Scratch or Dash” and Dot robot they can show what they have learnt and the thought process behind it. Digital creation equips the student with another outlet for inventing, innovating and expressing themselves in a different way.
Incorporate all aspects of school life: As mentioned before coding can be incorporated into many other school subjects like English, maths and science; it develops skills including punctuation, multiplication, measurement of angles, co-ordinates, electronics and much more.
Encourages critical thinking: Coding challenges students to work in an efficient manner by enhancing problem- solving skills and critical thinking and encouraging students to persevere when a task is difficult. Via partner programming activities, students practice collaboration and communication skills
Engages students in an unconventional way: Coding is a practical task, and it might appeal more to students who don’t enjoy reading books or working in class. This could be because it is new, modern and relatable in the sense that it can give them an insight into how a game on their phone is created. Coding can engage and excite students because it can provide them with an opportunity to create something they can show off to their peers.
Coding is fun!!: Robots, Minecraft, web design, animation and much more are created from coding. If a student finds something fun, hopefully, it will help with their learning.