To prepare future generation to be job-ready, institutes should emphasise on coding, says Shivram Choudhary
In this tech-oriented world, there is a requirement for an education company that is highly motivated by technology and whose aim is to empower the new generation by introducing coding in their life. It should be mandatory for all institutions to devise a well-designed coding curriculum to upskill and help students face the challenges of the 21st century.
Even though it’s possible to convince most of the parents that computer science or programming should be a required subject, a major problem is that only one out of every four schools even offers it. One of the most frequently occurring reasons quoted by the higher authorities of schools for not offering Coding as a major subject is that there isn’t enough time in the day — they are completely focused on core subjects which are measured by standardised tests.
Coding is like a learning language, it is easier to attain fluency at a young age. To equip the future generation with the skills that would prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow, institutes should place special emphasis on the power of coding and demand for the subject to be a part of schools and institutions as early as Grade 1. It is necessary to incorporate coding into the study curriculum and to impart coding knowledge in more innovative ways using different tech-based mind games that enhance a kid's personality.
Students can develop early affinity for coding, and can further dive into the concepts they learn in class by participating in after-school coding clubs that help build the essential skills. The benefits of coding are not just restricted to creating software and websites. Before students start working with software, they learn computational thinking skills and methods, which is the ability to approach a problem in a systematised and logical way. The storytelling aspect of coding can also benefit students' written and oral communication skills. In coding, there is a logical beginning, middle and end to the program, just like a narrative arc that describes a story's full progression. These skills can benefit students' written and speech skills.
Coding should be considered as a foundational subject in an individual’s life, because not only does it give students the skills needed to enter the growing field of technology, but more importantly it teaches them foundational skills such as problem solving and analytical thinking that will serve them well in all aspects of their lives. The other skills that come with computer programming help kids to develop new ways of thinking and foster problem-solving techniques that can produce greater results in other areas. Computational thinking allows preschoolers to grasp concepts like algorithm, recursion and heuristic.
Over the years, coding has progressed from a mere hobby to a critical career skill. It can make an individual’s resume stand out. Teaching children to code at a young age helps them develop elemental skills that will benefit them in whatever career they choose. When it comes to scope and versatility of this subject, it opens up new areas of remunerative career opportunities and ultimately makes one more flexible in this rapidly-shifting digital economy.
The writer is Founder, CodeVidhya