Brought to you by Real Programming 4 Kids:
Historically, the world of technology has been male-dominated. While there have been improvements in recent years in teaching girls and women STEM skill subjects and computer coding, there’s more work yet to do.
The apps, websites, and video games young people play inform our worldview. We rely on these things for news, entertainment, and to stay connected. Women need to learn how to create and design the technology that drives the future, rather than merely use it.
Otherwise, technology will be built with blind spots that further reinforce gender bias rather than address them. Before signing up your daughter for coding classes, make sure the sessions deliver on all these key points.
Fun and Engaging
Coding is very important for kids to learn, but that doesn’t mean the sessions need to be dry and boring! Leaders like Real Programming 4 Kids put video games at the heart of the class as children learn to design and code their own games.
Building up towards creating a video game students can play with friends and family keeps kids hungry and motivated to learn. Video games play another crucial role; the best coding courses also embed gamification concepts into the pedagogy, so the same things that make children addicted to video games are used to push them to learn.
Powerful, Relevant Coding Languages
Some coding languages are more useful to learn than others. It’s best for kids to learn actual coding languages rather than drag-and-drop programs like Scratch, which only approximate what coding is like.
Look for a programming course that teaches the following coding languages:
- Python
- Java
- JavaScript
- C#
- C++
Your daughter will have the tools they need to make their own apps, websites, or video games. They’ll also have the advanced computer skills employers look for in prospective hires.
Small Classrooms
Children need the right amount of structure and support in a learning environment, which is hard to provide in classrooms with too many students. Such environments can be noisy and disruptive and make it hard for kids to absorb new skills.
The best coding programs cap class sizes at four students per teacher, including in remote sessions. That way, every student gets their teacher’s full attention without needing to speak over their peers.
Young Teachers
Finally, the best computer programming courses tend to hire young teachers from computer engineering or computer science backgrounds. This has at least a couple of advantages.
Young teachers also grew up playing video games and can personally relate to the experiences of their students learning how to code their own games. They also have recent and relevant experience using their computer skills to get a job, so older students can ask them practical questions about how programmers navigate the workforce.
Technology is more than just a toy. People rely on the digital world, so it’s crucial that it reflects all users. Whether you want your daughter to learn computer coding today to have fun or be prepared for tomorrow’s workforce, look for a program that meets all the above criteria.
