Published By: The Guardian (Nigeria), 12/9/2016

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Summary

Mojang, Microsoft, and Code.org are teaming up to inspire a new generation of coders. The latest version of Code.org’s Hour of Code is a tutorial that allows beginner coders to create and share their own Minecraft game. Code.org’s goal is to provide “every student in every school…the opportunity to learn computer science” — in this case, through the highly popular Minecraft game.

Extended Discussion Questions

• As a student studying computer science, do you think Code.org and Microsoft’s approach to getting more people into coding will be successful? Why or why not?
• The article discusses giving more people the opportunity to learn how to code. How do you think this increased exposure to computer science, especially at younger ages, impacts society? Does it impact everyone equally? (Prompt: For example, what about situations where students have little or no access to computers or the Internet?).
• Are there other ways that companies and schools can increase interest in coding and computer science in general?

Let us know in the comments what your students think about approaches to getting more students interested in coding!

Global Impact Learning Objectives:

• LO 7.1.1 Explain how computing innovations affect communication, interaction, and cognition.

Global Impact Essential Knowledge:

• EK 7.1.1N The Internet and the Web have changed many areas, including e-commerce, health care, access to information and entertainment, and online learning.
• EK 7.4.1C The global distribution of computing resources raises issues of equity, access, and power.
• EK 7.4.1D Groups and individuals are affected by the “digital divide” — differing access to computing and the Internet based on socioeconomic or geographic characteristics.

Other CSP Big Ideas:

• Idea 1 Creativity

Banner Image: “Network Visualization – Violet – Offset Crop”, derivative work by ICSI. New license: CC BY-SA 4.0. Based on “Social Network Analysis Visualization” by Martin Grandjean. Original license: CC BY-SA 3.0