Technology superstars ask kids to code

 

The biggest names in technology want today's children to learn computer programming. Other stars, from the world of sport, entertainment, fashion, etc., also say kids need to learn to code. People like Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft founder Bill Gates have appeared in a video to tell children coding is fun. Dropbox creator Drew Houston believes coding is like learning to play a musical instrument or playing a sport: "It starts out being very [scary], but you kind of get the hang of it over time," he said. Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am also appeared in the video. He said: "Great coders are today's rock stars." Basketball star and coder Chris Bosh told kids he thought coding was cool.


The video is from Code.org – a non-profit foundation that wants schools to give children more lessons on computer programming. Its website says: "Every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn to code." The site contains dozens of quotes from high-profile figures. The first is from the late Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, who said a long time ago: "I think everybody…should learn how to program a computer because it teaches you how to think." Video game designer Gabe Newell explained how coding can really change children's lives. He said: "The programmers of tomorrow are the wizards of the future. You're going to look like you have magic powers."

3. CODING: What kind of software would you like to make? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What would it do?

Why?

To study

 

 

For music

 

 

Social networking

 

 

For mail

 

 

For games

 

 

Other ________

 

 

4. COOL: Students A strongly believe computer programming is very cool; Students B strongly believe it isn't.  Why?

5. TECH COMPANIES: Which company would you like to work for? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top.

  • Apple
  • Google
  • Twitter
  • Samsung
  • Microsoft
  • Facebook
  • Blackberry
  • Sony

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.

The longest names in technology want children to learn coding.

T / F

b.

The article says people like Facebook's CEO and Microsoft's founder.

T / F

c.

The creator of Dropbox said learning to code was like playing sport.

T / F

d.

Musician will.i.am said great coders are the same as rock stars.

T / F

e.

Code.org is hoping to make a lot of money from its website.

T / F

f.

The code.org website has quotes from 12 famous people.

T / F

g.

Steve Jobs said everybody should learn computer programming.

T / F

h.

A game designer said coders look like they have magical powers.

T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.

programming

a.

frightening

2.

founder

b.

people

3.

scary

c.

trendy

4.

get the hang of

d.

abilities

5.

cool

e.

chance

6.

children

f.

dead

7.

opportunity

g.

coding

8.

figures

h.

kids

9.

late

i.

creator

10.

powers

j.

learn

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

Who wants kids to learn computer programming?

2.

What did the Dropbox creator liken coding to?

3.

What did Drew Houston say coding was like at the beginning?

4.

What did will.i.am say coders were like?

5.

What did a basketball star say about coding?

6.

What kind or organization is Code.org?

7.

What did Code.org say every kid should have?

8.

What did Steve Jobs say computer programming teaches you to do?

9.

Who is Gabe Newell?

10.

What did Gabe Newell say coding can change?

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Coding teacher

You believe coding is one of the most important things kids can learn. Tell the others three reasons why. You think children should learn coding for two hours a day at school instead of subjects like art, history and foreign languages. Coding will change the world.

Role  B – Tech-hating parent

You don't understand why people are talking so much about coding. Coding is for geeks and nerds. You want your children to learn useful things like art, history and foreign languages. Tell the others three reasons why. Also tell them coding will never change anything in the world.

Role  C – English teacher

You learning English is the most important thing your students can do. Tell the others three reasons why. English is the world language. Everyone can get a good job with English. Coding jobs do not pay good money. You think coding should never be a school subject.

Role  D – Kid

You love technology. You really want to be a coder. Tell the others three reasons why. Your school subjects are boring because you cannot create anything. You want to learn coding so you can change the future and work for cool companies like Apple or Google.

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