Why learn to program?
Does learning to program guarantee certain conditions for success in professional life? In the following article we are going to address one of the most demanded professions in the world today. Starting from this question, we will answer why we believe that the youngest should learn to program as part of the new processes of “digital literacy” in the XXI century.
Greater job opportunities, better salaries, conscious and responsible use of technology, entrepreneurial skills, are just some of the advantages. As beneficial as mastering English, learning programming languages is one of the fundamental tools for the Information Society.
Over the next five years, at least 150 million new jobs linked to the technology sector will be generated, according to a report by the World Economic Forum (2020).
Teaching programming to the little ones
The answer is simple: digital literacy, and it responds to current demands in the age of digital technologies.
At a basic level, it is about acquiring skills on handling equipment, programs and forms of communication typical of digital technology. While at a broader level it represents “the driving force of sustainable development”.
The future is digital and it is not surprising that many of the jobs we know today change, or that new ones linked to technology emerge. What represents high possibilities of labour insertion, therefore reduction of poverty, more health and opportunities in the development of life.
Also make correct use of technologies and the Internet, understanding that the utility and consumption that people make of them represents, on the one hand, an unlimited range of possibilities, but on the other a high exposure to hazards typical of the virtual environment.
Current times demand this type of learning from the educational system, so that current and future generations can analyse the relevance of technologies and their implications in daily life.
Advantages of studying programming as a child
As with any other learning activity, starting at an early age will yield better results. Mark Zuckerberg began programming self-taught at the age of 12, he trained at a very young age before creating an incredible company and leading the way in technology. Which in short means that hours of practice make experts.
Although you can start programming at any age, in fact many people today do it and have even built careers this way. However, most experts recommend that the path to the world of programming should be made from childhood.
The main advantages of learning to program are:
- Knowing the universal language par excellence: Although there are currently different and multiple programming languages, that a child learns one makes it easier for him to learn more and adapt to another language at any time in his life.
- Become better students: learning to program allows you to think in an orderly way following a logic, which will allow you to better develop your skills in the classroom.
- They become thinking consumers : which means they begin to understand the logic of computers. Knowing them inside makes them wiser when making decisions, and makes them more active and creative in the digital world instead of being mere spectators.
- Express ideas clearly: knowing how to program implies making many ideas that you have tangible, depending on the technologies of course.
- Problem solving : programming is learning by trial and error, which offers a double benefit; be more decisive because of the experience but also encourage continuous improvement until the desired result is obtained.
- Logical and structured thinking: this is given by the ability to think and solve a problem in a methodical way, just like computational thinking. A problem is identified and different steps are applied in order to arrive at the resolving action in an effective way.
- Critical thinking: the training of capacities such as analysis, reflection and reasoning is stimulated, being able to make better decisions in the face of challenges.
In short, learning to program is much more than a job opportunity, it is a significant learning characteristic of 21st century education and the requirements of today’s world.
What age is the best time to learn programming?
Specialists agree that the best age to learn to program, or have an approach to this world, is from three or four years of age.
Of course, these programs must be adapted to the abilities of these ages. You must break with the idea that programming is complex, on the contrary you start with games that stimulate logical and mathematical thinking.
In principle, it begins with visual language, commonly called block programming, and it is what makes it possible to learn at such a young age. As they get older, children can use other more complex tools according to their level of development.
As for the hours that should be dedicated to practice, like other subjects, it will depend on the interest of the child.
Faced with this, one of the great fears of parents lies in the time in front of the screens. Here we must reflect on the use and not the medium. That is, if the minor spends quality time creating and/or learning.
The presence of the elderly in the use of these platforms should also be highlighted, being tutors and guides in these learning processes.
How to start children in the world of programming?
The new times favour the learning of programming from an early age. Although, just a few years ago this only corresponded to the world of adults, in recent times many companies have dedicated themselves to the development of specialised programs designed to teach programming.
An effective strategy that can be implemented in remote, hybrid or face-to-face modalities is gamification. The term is becoming very important as it is presented as a learning alternative that combines commitment to education with fun and motivation.
This is possible because the activities are carried out in conjunction with the learning objectives, in dynamic and fun environments that stimulate the acquisition of knowledge through the challenges of a game.
In the field of education, these techniques are highly valued for maximising student participation in a positive way. So, studying concepts as complex as the programming language is possible thanks to the various alternatives proposed by gamification.
Studying programming online is possible for the little ones. Foundation degrees provide a valuable foundation for further learning and career development. Through the game, progress is made in learning through the instructions provided for each challenge. Here, the figure of the teacher or tutor only appears to clarify doubts.
The absorption of concepts is done through the adventures that the game presents, overcoming the levels of difficulty. The main advantage is that the youngsters concentrate on the objective, learn to keep their attention fixed and repeat the exercise until they learn it and pass the level.
Gamification, learn by playing
As has been mentioned, it is not news that web programming is the present and future of the labour market. Over the years, jobs related to this skill will continue to emerge, growing at the pace of digitization of organisations.
Programming is not just writing a code, it is one more language that enables direct communication with the technological environment. Online tutoring is a valuable learning tool that can help students of all ages and skill levels improve their academic performance. Children must learn to program to face the work challenges of the future, and also open the door to the virtual world where the only limit is their imagination.
You can take help of tools or games that allow children to start in the world of programming. It makes it possible to acquire the basics of coding from a younger age through a magical world with fun, where students can learn complex concepts while playing.
Conclusions
According to Aark Learnings, We are part of a world immersed in technology, so training children as programmers is an essential challenge for the future. E-learning benefits the value of learning by increasing accessibility, flexibility, and engagement.It is a new kind of digital literacy that is necessary to participate actively and fully in the digital reality.
It was never as easy to study programming as it is today, thanks to the Internet we have courses, online tutorials, programs and efficient applications with proven results.
The good news is that you can learn by playing, in a fun way and taking advantage of the opportunities that learning outside the classroom offers. It is not about how much time children spend in front of a screen, but about making that time a space for quality and learning.
All institutions and schools have to teach the skills for years to come. Programming is undoubtedly a tool in education to think in a more analytical way and develop better in life.
Many of the activities that we carry out today are crossed by software, compared to this there are only two paths to take: either be consumers or be creators.
This does not mean that everyone must be a professional programmer, but it does mean that they understand the logic of computational thinking and functioning so as not to be left out, and above all, contribute positively to the Information Society.
Author’s Bio:
Archana Agarwal is a Post Graduate in International Management from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, an Entrepreneur, a proud mother to a 7-year-old, and Founder- CEO of Aark Learnings a leading online educational platform that provides skill-based holistic education and experiential learning to the new generation kids which help in their growth and overall development.