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

[MichelleMumsnet]

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

Coding is essential these days. I was writing simple binary codes when I was 16 and that was a long time ago, I think it will come naturally to todays youngsters!

yes I think it is really relevant in todays society, it should be included in the curriculum

Its a great idea,we have to move with the times,and schools need to keep up with technology

It's a great idea because this knowledge is what is going to be really important in mind sets and careers of the future. My biggest worry is that Primary School teachers are having it thrust upon them (as they did with IT and French) having absolutely no training or fundamental knowledge of the topic. Teachers who are themselves ignorant in the area may well do more harm than good. If the teaching of coding is to be a success, there needs to be support for expert led teacher training now. All new trainees must also have thorough training in the topic. not the cursory couple of hours I suspect may be the case.

I think it will be something that interests older children, I know my 8 year old Son would enjoy it immensely! I think it's great that it's being added to the Curriculum.

Good idea but basic maths including mental arithmetic would be better.

I think it's more important to teach the skills that create good coders: imagination, logic, creativity, mathematical building block skills. Otherwise we will have a nation, rather like my generation who learned BBC Basic, where you have some gifted coders, and everyone else thinks(thought) GOTO is the height of sophisticated commands. There is also a danger that we will end up with narrow thought processes.

If you have the "building blocks" then coding will be a natural progression and next step. Children are natural sponges - they want to learn, and if you make learning fun and interesting you create a love of learning that will carry the person through life.

Asimov wrote a fabulous short story "Profession". I often think of that when I see how we teach our children in mainstream schools.

I volunteer in school and would hope that they employ specialized teachers to do this. It is a necessary step in learning but what will give to make time to learn it would be my question.

I think it will be a useful and practical skill, but I don't think it will appeal to everyone

I think with the way technology has taken over our lives then this could be a good thing. I am not sure if it should be introduced so young though as children need to get to grips with the basic educational areas first.

I think anything that could help a child in the future can only be a good thing.

i think its a good skill but should be taught to older kids

No idea what it is really about or how it has been worked out.

Truefully i have absolutely no idea what it is.

I think it is a great idea once they have mastered the basics in maths and literacy

I think it's a great idea. It gives those with a natural aptitude the opportunity to find out at a young age, and then hopefully go on to make a career out of it.

Fantastic idea. I hope I will be able to pick some up from my kids when they come to learn it

I think it is a good idea that will engage a lot of children. A few years ago I used to teach IT to older children and the subject certainly needed an overhaul as it was really outdated. BUT: is only something that time, money and effort should be spent on once there is certainty that the current curriculum, especially in English and maths, is as good as it can be. And on a lighter note, can you imagine the havoc a bright 10-year-old could cause with a little coding knowledge!

I think that even if we don't understand it, it's essential for children this day and age to learn, and the earlier they learn the easier they will find it.

I know absolutely nowt - but I am pleased that ds has chosen to continue Computing Science into S3 and then probably on to a Nat 5, so he will be learning about coding :)

(In Scotland, so National Curriculum is irrelevant )

I believe that it is necessary to tech the basic tenets of coding, as I'm sure that many of our children will work in tech roles which haven't even been dreamt up yet.
It will also allow them an understanding of what underpins their tech rich environment.
It sounds extremely dull to me, but I am old. As long as coding is taught in a way which is integrated into curriculum topics at primary age, I think it's a positive step.

ridiculous

Hmmm not convinced

Seems like a good idea to me, assuming that it is done in an age appropriate manner. I would be concerned about obsolescence; if you're taught a programming language/style at 10 will it still be relevant at 20?