Free coding classes for secondary school students

A former Google Maps vice-president and a Mount Eliza school principal have teamed up to tackle the lack of “critical” IT skills being taught in schools.

Toorak College senior school students are among pupils reaping the benefit of the CS in Schools program. Picture: Tim Carrafa.

An innovative program is giving secondary students access to an industry-relevant digital education.

Computer Science in Schools partners volunteer computing professionals with secondary teachers to give students a job-ready IT education.

The volunteer professionals, from tech heavyweights such as SEEK, Carsales and Xero, help teachers become experts at teaching relevant industry content to students.

The program is free and is funded by donations from technology industry leaders.

Co-founder and chief executive officer Dr Hugh Williams is a former tech executive at Google, Microsoft and eBay.

Dr Williams, together with fellow expert Selina Williams and Toorak College principal Kristy Kendall, created the Computer Science in Schools program because they were concerned about the lack of IT education in schools.

“We believe university entrants aren’t choosing IT programs because many don’t get the opportunity to study engaging and immersive digital technology courses at school,” Dr Williams said

“It’s critical for Australia’s future that we address this problem.”

Tech executive Hugh Williams co-founded the non-profit CS in Schools program to help teachers become experts at teaching IT content to students. Picture: Aaron Francis/The Australian.

There will be more than 100,000 new IT jobs created in Australia by 2024, a report by Deloitte Access Economics and the Australian Computer Society study recently found.

But the problem is Australia only has around 7000 university-qualified IT graduates each year.

“It’s a huge opportunity for Australia to grow the next generation of IT workers and turn us into the knowledge economy that we could be,” Dr Williams said.

“In this profession you can have enormous global impact, and drive enormous positive change in the world.

“Coding is one of things today that everyone needs to have some understanding of, even if it’s not what they choose to do, and if you do choose to do it, the sky is the limit.”

Dr Williams said the problem stemmed in part from computer scientists pursuing lucrative careers instead of teaching and a lack of strong programs for upskilling teachers in IT.

“The whole thing is free, we don’t charge anybody for anything, it’s a philanthropically backed program, so it’s win, win,” Dr Williams said.

As a bonus, teachers who complete the program get a free micro-credential from RMIT University.

Toorak College principal Kristy Kendall with senior students. There will be more than 100,000 new IT jobs created in Australia by 2024. Picture: Tim Carrafa.

Ms Kendall said her school, in Mt Eliza, had observed a shortage of teachers nation-wide who felt qualified to teach coding.

“It’s a dream of ours to make sure there are people to take over those jobs we know inevitably we are going to need, for the fact of Australia’s advancement as well,” Mrs Kendall said.

“I believe most schools want to give their students exposure to coding skills, because it’s as necessary as reading or writing.”

“It’s an opportunity to gain exposure to something that may make a difference in your future, and that’s what the program is all about.”

In 2018 Toorak College was one of five Victorian schools doing the Computer Sciences in Schools pilot program.

This year the program has expanded to more than 40 schools across Australia.

With Mrs Kendall at the helm, Toorak College was named one of Australia’s most innovative schools in 2020, for its Agile Learning initiative, which includes the CS in Schools component.

Taught through a series of workshop-style lessons, students work together to look at real world scenarios, such as climate change and re-engaging Victoria’s economy, to develop ideas or solutions.

Mrs Kendall said Agile Learning prepared students to work in a flexible, collaborative manner with strong communication, critical and creative thinking skills.

“So the content can change, the world issues may change, but the skills to critically evaluate it, learn what to do with it, those are the skills we teach,” Mrs Kendall said.

Students have embraced the new style of learning.

“Agile Learning takes your imagination to the next level and makes sure your mind is open to new ideas and concepts,” Year 8 student Bethany said.

“You get to work in groups, make your own choices and find solutions for real-world problems.”