Code.org logo (via Code.org)
Code is the way of the future. The proof is just about everywhere you look - software is invading our everyday lives in the forms of “smart” devices with near limitless potential. Yet, only one in ten schools nationwide offers students the opportunity to take a computer science class. Is this not a detrimental situation that needs to change for the benefit of the world? I believe so, and so do a handful of wildly successful coding gurus such as Microsoft CEO Bill Gates and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, among many others.
As part of a promotion for the newly established Code.org organization, the group of superstars joins forces to help send a message about the need to increase the availability of programming courses in our schools. Code.org is a non-profit organization committed to increasing coding education worldwide. Its specific goals are to provide the following: spread awareness of the worldwide necessity for computer programmers, and establish an online database full of code-related resources that people can utilize to learn more about the subject.
On their website, Bill Clinton comments that every year there is a growing demand of at least 120,000 unfilled employment opportunities in the computer science field. In a world that is increasingly moving toward optimized mobile computing platforms capable of performing most of our day-to-day functions in a well packaged, software driven interfaces - would this not be the trivial solution to many of the world is limiting factors? Teaching children how to code early on must surely be a way of untangling the economic knot that hinders immediate steps toward an improved world.
A few notable quotes from the Code.org website:
“Our civilization is experiencing unprecedented changes across many realms, largely due to the rapid advancement of information technology. The ability to code and understand the power of computing is crucial to success in today's hyper-connected world. “ - Al Gore
“I'd like to advocate for computer coding to be an institution in the public school systems right next to biology, chemistry, physics, etc. If we want to spur job growth in the US we have to educate ourselves in the disciplines where jobs are available and where economic growth is feasible.“ - Ashton Kutcher
“Our policy at Facebook is literally to hire as many talented engineers as we can find. There just aren't enough people who are trained and have these skills today.“ - Mark Zuckerberg
“Learning to write programs stretches your mind, and helps you think better, creates a way of thinking about things that I think is helpful in all domains.“ - Bill Gates
“Great coders are today’s rockstars. That’s it.” – will,i.am
Check out the video to find out more. Spread the word. And, of course, learn to code. It’s good for all of us.
Cabe
