‘Why do our kids need to learn coding, when we never did?’

The current buzz in the Edtech space revolves around coding education for young children. India, renowned for producing a million programmers annually, owes much of this reputation to the surge in engineering colleges during the IT boom at the turn of the millennium. The question arises: why introduce coding to kids at an early age? Is the aim to churn out more engineers, or does it have broader implications for diverse professions like law, architecture, medicine, art, music, and photography?

The essence of coding classes for kids goes beyond producing engineers; it focuses on instilling Computational Thinking and Algorithmic Intelligence. In simpler terms, it cultivates the ability to methodically break down problems and employ various faculties such as arts, creativity, and problem-solving to design solutions.

The inevitable query arises: “Why do our kids need this skill when we, as parents, never learned to code?” It’s a valid question, reflecting the varied backgrounds and successes of individuals who navigated life without coding knowledge. In a non-technological era, these questions might indeed be less relevant.

However, our contemporary world is shaped by artificial intelligence (AI), permeating fields from Edtech to Foodtech, LegalTech, and AgriTech. Intelligent technology is omnipresent. Consider a five-year-old today becoming a lawyer two decades later. Will legal proceedings and transactions remain static? Unlikely. With the shift to online platforms for tasks like Stamp Duty and filings, even the elderly, unfamiliar with computer technology, face challenges. In the AI-dominated future, a lawyer is expected to grasp Computing basics and leverage AI-driven tools.

Medical professionals will undergo a similar transformation. The COVID-19 pandemic compelled doctors to embrace online processes. In the future, almost all medical procedures, from prescription writing to diagnosing complex ailments, will be AI-driven. Doctors will need to comprehend AI as thoroughly as they understand the human body.

A music producer friend in Los Angeles highlighted his struggles adapting to the rapid integration of AI in music technology. Unlike a decade ago, when music was recorded in a single setting, today’s music tech synchronizes vocals, instrumentals, and other audio inputs. His move from Mumbai to LA revealed the significance of understanding technology.

The crucial question remains: “What and how long should one learn?” Begin with user-friendly tools like Scratch Junior, available on Android and iOS. It’s a free tool providing an excellent introduction to Computational Thinking & Algorithmic Intelligence (CTAI). If your child enjoys Scratch Jr, consider enrolling them in a Teacher-Led program for 12-16 hours. For many, this exposure, coupled with personal projects, establishes a strong foundation in CTAI, akin to excelling in mathematics or pursuing non-mathematics-based careers.

Some students may aspire to excel in CTAI, opting for careers in AI, Machine Learning, and Game Design. For such students, courses in Python, an elementary gateway to Machine Learning, are recommended.

Certification is a common concern. “Will my child receive a certificate?” Seek courses that assess learning outcomes and provide an opportunity for a graded certificate from an independent authority. In the Indian context, it’s akin to boards like CBSE/ICSE/IB assessing a child’s knowledge at the end of their school tenure.