jakub christoph (ecdl foundation). coding, computing or digital literacy
TRANSCRIPT
Coding, computing or digital
literacy
Jakub Christoph
Panevėžys, 18 September 2015
What are we talking about?
• Computer programming is the process of developing and implementing various sets of instructions to enable a computer to perform a certain task, solve problems, and provide human interactivity. These instructions (source codes which are written in a programming language) are considered computer programs and help the computer to operate smoothly .
• Coding, on a technical level is a type of computer programming that closely represents what happens at the lowest (machine) level. However, when most people talk about coding, they usually mean something at a higher, more human-readable level . The terms programming and coding are usually used interchangeably.
• Computer science is an academic discipline covering principles such as algorithms, data structures, programming, systems architecture, design, problem solving, etc. Computer science encompasses foundational principles (such as a theory of computation) and widely applicable ideas and concepts (such as the use of relational models to capture structure in data)
What are we talking about?
• Computing is the term which in digital skills debate is often used interchangeably with the term ‘computer science’. In the UK, computing is defined as a broad subject area that encompasses both computer science and digital literacy.
• Computational thinking is a problem solving process which lies at the heart of computer science. Computational thinking involves formulating problems that enables to use computer to solve them; logically organising and analysing data, representing data through abstractions, automating solutions through algorithmic thinking; identifying, analysing, and implementing possible solutions with the goal of achieving the most efficient and effective combination of steps and resources; generalising and transferring this problem solving process to a wide variety of problems, etc.
• Digital literacy – basic set of skills required to participate in essential ICT user activities. Typical skills would include the ability to work with numbers and documents (software such as word processors and spreadsheets), the ability to use a web browser, e-mail and internet search engines securely and effectively.
In short…
IT Skills GAP
• European Commission: 825,000
ICT vacancies by 2020
• 1.3 Trillion dollars lost globally
• Europe losing competitive edge
• Sharp increase in IT services
outsourcing
Tackling by Policy
• 3 countries added coding as compulsory part of
Digital Skills Policy
Tackling by initiatives, competitions,
freebies
Where does it leave digital literacy ?
Digital Skills in Europe
Digital Skills in the US
The Digital Skills Gap In The Workforce Middle-skill jobs, those that require more
than a high school education but less than a
bachelor’s degree, comprise 39% of U.S.
employment.
Two-thirds of Americans don’t have a
college degree, and these jobs represent
important career opportunities for them.
Nearly eight in 10 middle-skill jobs require
digital skills. Spreadsheet and word
processing proficiencies have become a
baseline requirement for (78%) of middle-
skill jobs
Digital Skills in the US
The Digital Skills Gap In The Workforce
Digital Skills in the USThe Digital Skills Gap In The Workforce
Digital Skills in the UK
Categories of skills requirements
British Computer Society Study
• 81% require their workforce to have digital skills
• 52% believe their workforce has the digital skills to meet their future challenges
• 97% rated email skills as very or quite important,
• 92% rated word processing skills as very or quite important
• 89% rated spreadsheet skills as very or quite important
• 71% rated social media skills as very or quite important
Survey of HR Professionals and Employers
Workplace Skills Gap
UK Dept. for Business, Innovation & Skills – Skills for Life Survey
Digital Skills Policy
Digital Skills Policy
The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:
• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of
computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data
representation
• can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical
experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
• can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar
technologies, analytically to solve problems
• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and
communication technology
Within next 2-5 years 90% of
jobs will need at least basic
computer skills.
80% of them will require
digital literacy level
ECDL- European standard of digital literacy
