When students engage in computer science, they are not just learning to code to become future software engineers. They are also developing creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will prepare them to thrive in the future workforce, where 77 percent of jobs will require technology skills in the next decade.
Microsoft partnered with YouGov and surveyed K-12 teachers in the U.S. and found 83 percent of teachers believe coding can build students’ creativity. Computer Science Education Week is the perfect time to bring digital learning and creativity together, igniting your students’ passion to create and innovate with technology!
When asked, 80 percent of teachers said they believe big tech companies like Microsoft, Google and Apple should be helping build computer science skills and 75 percent of teachers said the government isn’t doing enough to equip schools to build these skills.
That’s why we’re excited by the progress that has been made in recent years, from the TEALS program which brings computer science to high schools across the U.S. and Canada, to Minecraft: Education Edition’s Code Builder and Hour of Code tutorials. Students in over 180 countries have learned the fundamentals of coding with free Minecraft Hour of Code tutorials and have logged more than 100 million sessions in the past 4 years!
Microsoft is also committing $10 million to help Code.org continue advocating for computer science education policy, so every state is taking steps to increase access to computer science to their students and ensure every school provides its teachers with professional development in computer science.
To continue this great momentum, we invite you to join the movement to bring computer science to everyone! Although our survey found 88 percent of teachers agree that computer science is critical to ensuring their students’ future success in the workplace, when asked, 30 percent of teachers said they feel underqualified when it comes to preparing their students for a more digital future. There’s no better time to introduce your students to computer science than during Computer Science Education Week. It is easy to get started and you can participate without any knowledge of computer science with free and easy-to-use online resources.
Let’s get started!
- Totally new to Computer Science education? Check out our new, free Microsoft Educator Community Courses. Visit the Hour of Code Facilitator Training to get the training you need to bring hour of code with Minecraft to your students and earn a badge.
- Introduce your students to real-world professionals using Computer Science. In partnership with Code.org, Skype in the Classroom is hosting free 30-minute classroom broadcasts and live Q&A all week with professionals who use code to create amazing things like building AI to help endangered species, designing Minecraft worlds and using code to create the latest Pixar movie! Join us to show your students how fun and exciting careers that involve computer science can be.
- Attend a free Computer Science Workshop at your local Microsoft Store. Microsoft Stores offer free workshops to help develop the computer science skills your students need. Check the schedule to find a workshop near you.
- Learn to code with Minecraft: Education Edition. Download the new update for Minecraft: Education Edition to use Code Builder, an in-game feature that allows students to run code commands with Microsoft MakeCode and Tynker. Standards-aligned curriculum, starter lessons and trainings are available for educators of all levels.
- And, of course, you can always Host an Hour of Code! Learn how to run a Minecraft Hour of Code in your school with free online tutorials, educator trainings and discussion guides. The new Minecraft Hour of Code one-hour tutorial, Voyage Aquatic, takes students on an underwater adventure to find treasure and solve puzzles with code. Visit code.org/minecraft to get started.
For more information on the many programs Microsoft supports to help you build your students digital skills, check out our Computer Science Education Week page here.
