Coding has become a skill that will almost guarantee a potential employee a job in today's digital workforce. Like many potentially valuable trades, though, coding has been ignored in public school curriculum -- that is, until now. Florida has begun a trend that a few other states have shown some interest in: substituting foreign language requirements with coding course work.
Coding is the make-up of many computer software programs, apps and websites. Without coding experts, we'd be without so many of the things that meet our ever-growing need for entertainment and in-the-moment updates. We teach, in most curricula and in theory, what we deem most essential to creating a well-rounded, prepared member of the workforce. In an age dependent on all things digital it only makes sense to offer courses in coding, right? But what do we choose to cut time from or replace to allow the teaching of code? Well, that's exactly the concern many have voiced in Florida and across the nation.
Critics of the coding replacement say, "why can't we have both?" Many feel that giving students the choice between foreign language and coding courses potentially takes away a vital exposure to the understanding of different cultures through language.
"Instead of debating which is more beneficial for our students," says Erin McCormick of Middlebury Interactive, "why can’t we recognize the value of both coding and world languages as important 21st Century skills and the unique opportunities they each create?"
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| From codethefuture.org |
I have to say, I agree with Ms. McCormick -- there should be some sort of happy medium between recognizing a new and important skill in schools and omitting another important subject. Let's support the creation of organizations like this one, that recognizes the importance and works to provide the training for these kind of skills. I am excited that coding is being incorporated into public schools, but let's also remember that there are other skills that have become increasingly important as they have disappeared from public school teaching (electricians, welders, carpenters, etc).
Coding is the future, but let's not forget what has proven to be important in the past.
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