In today’s world, technology is everywhere, and knowing how to code is becoming as important as knowing how to read and write. To help more people learn these valuable skills, 29 tech companies, including big names like Microsoft and Google, are teaming up with an organization called Code.org. This group is dedicated to teaching computer science to students all over the globe and wants to make sure that people from all backgrounds have the chance to learn programming.
Jeff Elder from The Wall Street Journal explains that diversity has been a hot topic this year, especially in the tech industry. Many tech companies have realized that the lack of diversity is a problem that starts with education. By working together, these companies are showing their commitment to solving this issue, even though they usually compete with each other.
Code.org is working to make computer science a part of the regular school curriculum for students of all ages. The CEOs of these tech companies have encouraged their employees to get involved in a special program happening in December. This program aims to raise money for schools so they can teach computer science and offer online tutorials to students.
Raising awareness is the first step. People are starting to see that learning computer science is just as important as learning math or science. It could even replace some traditional subjects and become a key part of preparing students for future jobs.
Thanks to Jeff Elder for sharing insights from The Wall Street Journal.
Learning to code is not just about becoming a programmer. It helps develop problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and creativity. These skills are useful in many areas of life and can open up a wide range of career opportunities. Whether you want to create apps, design websites, or even work in fields like medicine or engineering, coding can be a valuable tool in your toolkit.
If you’re interested in learning to code, there are many resources available online. Websites like Code.org offer free tutorials and courses for beginners. You can also participate in events like the Hour of Code, where you can try coding for just one hour and see how fun and rewarding it can be!
Join the global movement by participating in the Hour of Code event. Spend one hour exploring coding tutorials on Code.org. This will give you a taste of programming and show you how fun and rewarding it can be. Share your experience with classmates and discuss what you learned.
Design a poster that highlights the importance of diversity in technology. Use online tools to create your poster and include facts about how diverse teams can lead to better problem-solving and innovation. Present your poster to the class and explain why diversity matters in tech.
Choose one of the 29 companies involved in the Hour of Code initiative, such as Microsoft or Google. Research their contributions to computer science education and diversity. Prepare a short presentation to share your findings with the class, focusing on how the company is making a difference.
Use a platform like Scratch to code a simple game. This activity will help you apply problem-solving and logical thinking skills. Once your game is complete, playtest it with your classmates and gather feedback on how to improve it.
Conduct an interview with a programmer or someone working in the tech industry. Prepare questions about their career path, the importance of coding, and how diversity impacts their work. Share the insights you gain with your classmates to inspire others to explore coding.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
—
Staying with technology, coding is becoming the new literacy. Two dozen tech companies are working to ensure that more people are equipped with these skills. Microsoft, Google, and others are partnering with Code.org, which teaches computer science to students worldwide and aims to increase diversity in the programming field.
Jeff Elder from The Wall Street Journal is here to discuss this. Jeff, what’s in it for these big tech companies?
Diversity has been a significant issue this year, and it’s a systemic problem that starts with education. Tech companies have recognized the need to take action, and this collaboration is a way for them to commit to this cause, even though some of these companies are competitors.
At what point are they getting involved? Are they focusing on high school students, or what age groups are we talking about?
Code.org aims to integrate computer science into the core curriculum throughout education. The CEOs of these two dozen companies sent out emails to their employees, encouraging them to participate in a December program to help raise funds for schools to implement this curriculum and to engage in online tutorials.
Is this initiative gaining traction? It’s one thing for companies to encourage participation, but is there a real commitment?
I believe it starts with raising awareness. People are beginning to understand that computer science is a vital part of education, akin to math and science. This can replace some traditional core curricula and become an essential component of education and workforce preparation.
Thank you, Jeff Elder, for joining us from The Wall Street Journal.
—
This version maintains the key points while removing informal language and ensuring clarity.
Code – A set of instructions written in a programming language that a computer can understand and execute. – Example sentence: “She spent the afternoon writing code to create a new game for her computer science project.”
Computer – An electronic device that processes data and performs tasks according to a set of instructions called programs. – Example sentence: “The computer quickly calculated the results of the complex math problem.”
Programming – The process of designing and building an executable computer program to accomplish a specific task. – Example sentence: “Programming allows you to create software that can solve real-world problems.”
Learn – To gain knowledge or skill by studying, practicing, or being taught. – Example sentence: “Many students are eager to learn how to code in their computer science class.”
Skills – The ability to do something well, often gained through training or experience. – Example sentence: “Developing coding skills can open up many opportunities in the tech industry.”
Diversity – The inclusion of different types of people and ideas in a group or organization. – Example sentence: “Diversity in technology teams can lead to more innovative solutions.”
Curriculum – A set of courses and their content offered at a school or university. – Example sentence: “The new computer science curriculum includes lessons on programming and cybersecurity.”
Tutorials – Guided lessons that teach how to use software or perform tasks on a computer. – Example sentence: “Online tutorials can help beginners learn the basics of programming.”
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Example sentence: “Advancements in technology have made computers more powerful and accessible.”
Careers – Occupations or professions, especially ones requiring special training or education. – Example sentence: “There are many exciting careers in technology, from software development to data analysis.”
