Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Sponsored threads

This topic is for sponsored discussions. If you'd like to run one with us, please email [email protected].

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ

What do you know about coding? Tell The Sunday Times for a chance to win a £250 John Lewis voucher NOW CLOSED

431 replies

MichelleMumsnet · 05/09/2014 16:51

The Sunday Times have asked us to let Mumsnetters know that they’re running a Learn to Code series this weekend to coincide with the inclusion of coding in the national curriculum.

They told us: “With coding hitting the national curriculum this week, and our readers becoming more tech-savvy than ever, we will be demystifing computer programming in this weekend's edition of the paper. In partnership with Decoded, a company that specialises in digital training, the Learn to Code in a Day guide out this Sunday will take readers step-by-step through app-making.”.

“Editorial Director Eleanor Mills, who did Decoded's Code in a Day course herself, said: 'This is an exciting moment for us as we are the first British newspaper to offer a course like this. With five year-olds now learning computer programming in school, it is essential that adults keep up too.”

“If you’re nodding whilst reading the above then why not give it a go yourself? The easy guide will empower and equip you with the knowledge needed to tackle those potential conversations with your children over homework after school."

“Simply sign up to The Sunday Times for a £1 for 30-day trial and start learning now: thetim.es/1uD6qml”

So, what do you think about the addition of coding to the curriculum? Do you think it’s beneficial for children to learn this from a young age? Is this something you think you could get your head around when you were younger? Are there any other additions to the curriculum you feel are necessary for children to cope with today’s technologies?

Everyone who adds their thoughts to this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £250 John Lewis voucher.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

OP posts:
SummerLightning · 09/09/2014 13:40

I used to be a coder, still work in computing and think it is a great idea.

My 5 year old has had a go at one of these online coding sites (with a lot of help) - the skills they get from it go hand in hand with basic maths and logic skills that they would be learning at this age, and it engaged with him because he got to direct angry birds around with basic instructions (writing simple instructions to direct them from A to B)

I help out at my school's Code Club (out of school programming group), and my only concern with it is getting the teachers to have a decent level of training in Scratch, etc, whatever other programming tools they choose to use. The impression I get is that some of the teachers would not be confident teaching it at the moment (especially at the upper primary level - given the chance the kids can actually make some complicated stuff and the teachers need to be able to help out!)

feefeegabor · 09/09/2014 13:41

I think this is a great idea but hope it won't be too early! We seem be putting more and more pressure on our children to learn quickly instead of letting them enjoy their childhood. That being said, my daughter is now 12 and would love this addition to her timetable.

LittleMissGreen · 09/09/2014 13:55

As a software engineer I think the intention is right, but I'm not sure about the implementation. The key to being a good software engineer is the design behind the code, working out how the program is going to fit together and work. Actually writing the code is easy - from the first day in the job we were expected to learn a new language over night and be ready to implement code in it the next day. The languages are ever evolving and so learning a particular language in school it is likely to be out of date knowledge before a child ever needs to put it into use in a job.
However, learning the logic behind coding, that is needed whatever the language. That also helps with maths skills being able to solve a problem from start to finish in an ordered way.

However, if they also teach how to comment code well so that anyone can understand what has been written and what the code is doing, it will get my vote!

JoJoY · 09/09/2014 14:05

I think it's a great addition to the curriculum but maybe it's too young, I think it would be better aimed at year 7 and above!

glennamy · 09/09/2014 14:09

I think its a great idea to teach children this and anything else that will be of use for the future.

Pagetta · 09/09/2014 14:16

I think that this is a fantastic idea. There is a lot of fear around children and the internet and the more they understand about the technology the more they'll be able to use it, build on it and enjoy it in a safe way.
It encourages them to think about how things are made, which we do with buildings and bridges, so why not websites and software?
It won't be for everyone - like maths, or music, or languages, some people won't take to it, won't like it and just won't get it, but it will build a foundation of understanding that will be vital for the next generations in this technological world.

As someone else said too - its basically logic, but its introducing HOW that logic applies in coding. I will be very supportive when my LO starts this.

phillie1 · 09/09/2014 14:19

great idea - the earlier it is introduced in basic form, the less they will be afraid of the concept, especially as many of their parents have no idea how such things work, and may well pass on a message of 'that's too complicated', if they leave it to senior school to introduce

lhlee62 · 09/09/2014 14:50

It's fine as long as they don't need any help with their homework as I don't think I wouldn't have a clue. If they needed assistance I might have to enlist the help of my brother in law who is studying forensic computing

ErrolTheDragon · 09/09/2014 14:52

Its a good idea to get kids able to write code for themselves from a young age, so long as its not done in too half-baked a way. Hopefully it will develop into a basic skill - so they'll naturally do things like write a script to handle data, or control a device or whatever in the context of other subjects. Coding isn't an end in itself, it's a means to an end.

I'll pass on the free training - I've been writing software for about 30 years now. Very little formal training (Fortran on cards during my chemistry degree!) - the entry level in my field is a chemistry PhD, coding is the easy part.

My DD is doing Computer Studies GCSE, her teacher last year wasn't great (ICT/electronics teacher bravely attempting it) ... I had to teach her hex, but she's just got a new one for year 11 who she reckons will be good - she was delightedly showing me complicated logic gates last night. Grin

seeingdouble2 · 09/09/2014 15:52

5 years seems too young. All this tech they should be out riding bikes being kids not zombies in front of screens!

becky0306 · 09/09/2014 16:15

it's a good idea but I think it should be tailored to older children, kids have a lot on their shoulders as it is, and it will take some time for them to get used to it.....time will tell..

Gbear0382 · 09/09/2014 16:25

Not a terrible idea in principle, but perhaps should be aimed at more mature children. Youngster kids should be focusing on core skills like maths and reading / writing.

ErrolTheDragon · 09/09/2014 16:35

If you're coding you're not being a zombie onscreen! Its like the difference between learning to cook and stuffing your face.

Though agree that if it was a choice between code and physical activity, the latter wins hands down esp for 5yos.

Suewannywin · 09/09/2014 16:51

It's a good idea to introduce coding - this is a new generation and the things they will need to know are going to be different to what we learnt 20 odd years ago.
I think a basic grasp would be good for them to know but I don't think they should be pressured too much as there is already so much for them to do. Perhaps if it could be taught in a fun and engaged way using games.

ErrolTheDragon · 09/09/2014 17:07

I expect in a couple of generation's time, the arguments against teaching kids to code will seem as strange as those which might once have been put forward in relation to ordinary people - and then girls in particular - needing to be literate.

Mistyblue01 · 09/09/2014 17:18

Todays youths need to keep abreast of changes in technology so I think the addition of Coding in the curriculum is a good idea although perhaps not too early.

Ritakd · 09/09/2014 17:42

I think it's a great idea

sugar1975 · 09/09/2014 17:44

I think it is a postive thing and I am sure so many children will learn this with no difficulty! I do feel though that it should be taught in the older years. However it is true to say that most children do adapt to changes well and to them this will be no different.

compy99 · 09/09/2014 17:53

I think this is a going to be a vital part of education if this country is to keep up with future jobs in the IT industry. I am happy for this to be on the curriculum, I welcome all future, forward thinking subjects, with so many trades and previous careers being replaced by technology, this will be a skill that will be in great demand.

marshmallowSqueeze · 09/09/2014 17:57

I think it is a great idea I work in IT and ds loves making things on scratch or playing with other stuff, however sadly ds school (y4) is not all ready for this and when asked how they would be implementing I was met with a blank look and the words of oh our IT teacher is on maternity leave

Hulababy · 09/09/2014 18:01

I don't think primary school coding is going to be fundamental to rearing a generation of computer programmers. BUT I do think the concepts to be taught at excellent skills to be learning at a young age. It is far more interesting and useful than learning to use Microsoft Office and not much more.

And ime it is all so much more interesting. I have taught simple coding to y2s for the past couple of years and they love it. It is really something that engages the children and gives them something to really get their teeth into. Obviously the possibilities are endless too.

We also did the Hour of Code with EYFS and year 1 to last year which went well. Even 4 year olds can grasp basic concepts behind writing a list of instructions and seeing what happens, and going back and checking it if it didn't work. I will be doing more coding with year 1 this year as I am teaching y1 and y2 this year, and introducing basic concepts through Beebot and Scratch Jr with EYFS towards the end of this year.

The main concern is how it will be taught. I have been on some of the available training in the past year and tbh it has been quite patchy, and in some places not good at all. Many primary teachers have not done this type of computing before so at the moment the level of teaching is going to be patchy too. Confidence is a big factor - the new terminology can look very confusing at first and puts some teachers off.

ShyPhilosopher · 09/09/2014 18:16

I'm definitely subscribing so I can access that series, my son really wants to learn coding.

What do you think about the addition of coding to the curriculum?
I think it makes a great deal of sense. We are increasingly becoming a computer dependent society. Plus coding involves learning a great deal of transferable skills (such as error checking, logic etc).

Do you think it’s beneficial for children to learn this from a young age?
Whilst it does sound very young, I don't see why basic principles cannot be taught to young children. I remember starting off at school by programming one of those Big Track things. Things such as that are easy enough for even very young kids to understand. I think some people forget how highly adaptive children are.

Is this something you think you could get your head around when you were younger?
I was lucky, I had a zx Spectrum 48k when I was younger & used to type in line after line of BASIC code to try & make games. I got the code out of computing magazines. I wish I could have been taught how to code as part of my school lessons.

Are there any other additions to the curriculum you feel are necessary for children to cope with today’s technologies?
I think there are things which should be added to the curriculum, but not to do with today's technologies.

Oldbiddywilkins · 09/09/2014 18:26

I think it's a good idea. With technology moving so fast and being such a huge part of our lives nowadays we need to be teaching our children as much a possible.
Children pick these things up so quickly because they have no fear of technology (unlike a lot of adults) do we have to make the most of this.

ilovemovies · 09/09/2014 18:30

I think it's a great idea, it's a skill that will be very useful in the near future!

sofieellis · 09/09/2014 18:33

When DS1 was in Year 1, he went missing from his classroom - he was found an hour later, happily playing on a computer in the school's computer room! He is now 18 and about to start Computer Science at university. Needless to say, he would have loved this addition to the curriculum.

AS with all subjects, as long as the teaching is age appropriate, then I think it's a great idea. Teach them the basics and help them to develop their new skills at a rate they can cope with.

The world of computer technology is moving at a fast rate and our children will need these skills if they want to keep up, both with their peers now, and professionally, in their futures.