Apple stores teach programming for free

This week, all Apple stores will turn into classes for those who want to learn computer programming.

The company's 468 stores will be used as part of the annual Hour of Code project. This is an international charity project, which is a free introductory course to programming.

The initiative to hold the annual Hour of Code event as part of the Annual Computer Literacy Week belongs to the non-profit organization Code.org. These courses allow millions of people to learn the basics of programming and test their ability to write programs.

The project is implemented in 180 countries and is supported by leading technology companies and national governments. Last year about 100 million people participated in the weekly program.

The project involves, inter alia, US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, as well as representatives of the management of Microsoft, Google, Facebook and Amazon.

The main training course for the project was prepared by the company producing the game Minecraft.

This year, the program will include master classes, workshops with developers, and training courses from software developers.

Programming is the new literacy

According to Craig Federini, one of the leaders of Apple, understanding the programming language in the modern world has become an indispensable form of literacy.

“All these gadgets are such an important part of our lives today that the ability to understand this area is just as important as the ability to write,” says Federini.

Federini himself began programming at the age of 10. “It was an unforgettable moment when I realized that I could, by typing a command, make the computer do whatever I wanted,” he says.

In his opinion, programming should be considered as a language and way of thinking. And if today a young man has some kind of computer device, programming can be the next level of literacy for him.

“Sometimes people think that programming is only for lone techies. However, in fact, it ranks among the most creative and sociable professions, says Federini. “It’s an incredibly creative environment, just like music, and there’s a lot in common between programmers and musicians.”

Technology and education

According to Federini, it is difficult to predict how learning technologies will develop in a situation where young people switch so easily from one gadget to another.

But there is another opinion about the use of technology in education.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, there is no connection between the billions spent on new technologies in education and the result, that is, the knowledge of students.

However, Federini does not doubt the value of technology that stimulates young minds.

“As with any tool, you can’t expect a return just because you bring it to class,” he says. — Using new technologies in the old way will not solve the problem. But the potential of technology, provided it is used correctly, is truly phenomenal.”