Writing CodesInstead of Tweets

How allowing kidsto partake in

technology throughcoding will make

their relationshipswith technology

healthier andprepare them for

the future…

People todayare over

indulging inexcessdigital

behaviours…

Over 1/2 of 18 – 24 year olds check theirphone at least every 30 minutes, and over 1/3

reach for their phone when nothing isoccupying their attention. (1)

Kids areparticularly

perceptive tothese digitalbehaviours

and theirdigital world

that maycause moreharm than

good.

Teens who are on socialmedia for more than

two hours a day reportpoor self-rated mentalhealth, psychological

distress, suicidalideation or unmet need

for mental healthsupport. (2)

Technology is producing a negativeeffect on our world.

“That’s the paradoxof this: We’recommunicatingmore but we’re notcommunicatingdeeply. That’s thedisconnect.” (3)

The digital world is anunhappy and

submissive one. Kidsneed an advanced

digital literacy to takeback their agency in

the technologicalworld.

The solution: havekids play a larger

role in technology’sstructure.

Scaffolding digital learning is a techniquefamilies can use to help kids learn about

technology. This technique ultimately providesgreater independence and confidence in the

learning process with technology. (4)

Digital literacy learning shouldnot stop once kids know how to

use technology, it should betaught in schools.

PresidentObama wantsevery studentin the United

States to learncomputer

science. (5)

In Britain it is already part of the nationalcurriculum that “every child should understand

the fundamental principles and concepts ofcomputer science” (6)

"Today, technology touches every aspect oflife, so it is crucial that children develop

the fundamental technology skills tobecome the makers of tomorrow" (7)

“It is the language of ourworld. In the future, notknowing the language of

computers will be aschallenging as being

illiterate or innumerateare today.” (8)

If we focus kids on writing code instead ofcomments on facebook we can create

positive relationships with technology.

Organizations suchGirls Who Code andKoding with Klossyprovide a positive

community oftechnological literate

kids with clubs, camps,and internships. “Girls

Who Code has gonefrom 20 girls in New

York to 10,000 girls in42 states”. (9)

Understandingcoding provides abetter future. TheBureau of LaborStatistics projectsthat there will be one million jobsavailable forprogrammers inthe U.S. by 2020. (10)

Add heading

With coding kids canhave a positive

relationship withtechnology bybuilding their

confidence, makingconnections, andcreating a better

future forthemselves and the

world.

Works CitedClass Material and Readings

(1) Krashinsky, Susan. "Advertisers Cash In On Attention Spans Of Digitally Savvy Canadians". TheGlobe and Mail. N.p., 2015. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.

(2) Payne, Elizabeth. "Study Links Poor Teen Mental Health to Social Media Use."Ottawa Citizen. PostMedia Network, 8 Aug. 2015. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.

(3) Bielski, Zosia. "Portrait of an E­family: How They're ... ­ The Globe and Mail." The Globe and Mail.The Globe and Mail, 22 Aug. 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.

(4) From Sidney Matrix Eve’s Module 1 Lecture 2 “Media Use Research” 21 Sep 2016. Queen’sUniversity.

Works CitedExtra Sources

(5) Kamenetz, Anya. "The President Wants Every Student To Learn Computer ..."NPR Ed.NPR, 12 Jan. 2016. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.

(6) Serapio, Michael (Host) and Roumeliotis, Ioanna (Journalist) “Coding for Kids: Programmingthe Future” Online news video clip. Curio. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation/Radio Canada,October 2015. Web. 21 October 2016.

(7) "Mattel, Inc. Mattel and Tynker Join Forces to Help Kids Learn Computer Programming."Journal of Engineering (2015): 140. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. (8) Crow, Dan. "Why Every Child Should Learn to Code | Technology | The ..." The Guardian.Guardian News and Media, 7 Feb. 2014. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. (9) Saujani, Reshma. "About Us." Girls Who Code. Girls Who Code, n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. (10) Mims, Christoper. "Why Coding Is Your Child’s Key to Unlocking the Future ­ WSJ." TheWall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, 26 Apr. 2015. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. All photos from finds photo and/or pexels with no attribution required and free forcommercial and personal use.