The Tech Edvocate

Top Menu

  • Advertisement
  • Apps
  • Home Page
  • Home Page Five (No Sidebar)
  • Home Page Four
  • Home Page Three
  • Home Page Two
  • Home Tech2
  • Icons [No Sidebar]
  • Left Sidbear Page
  • Lynch Educational Consulting
  • My Account
  • My Speaking Page
  • Newsletter Sign Up Confirmation
  • Newsletter Unsubscription
  • Our Brands
  • Page Example
  • Privacy Policy
  • Protected Content
  • Register
  • Request a Product Review
  • Shop
  • Shortcodes Examples
  • Signup
  • Start Here
    • Governance
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • The Edvocate
  • The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
  • Topics
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise

Main Menu

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Lynch Educational Consulting
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
    • Contact Us
    • Books
    • Pedagogue
    • Edupedia
    • The Edvocate Podcast
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Topics
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development Tech
    • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
    • EdTech Futures
    • EdTech News
    • EdTech Policy & Reform
    • EdTech Startups & Businesses
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • Online Learning & eLearning
    • Parent & Family Tech
    • Personalized Learning
    • Product Reviews
  • Advertise
  • Apps
  • Tech Edvocate Awards
  • The Edvocate
  • P-20 Ed Careers

logo

The Tech Edvocate

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Lynch Educational Consulting
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
        • My Speaking Page
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
    • Contact Us
    • Books
    • Pedagogue
    • Edupedia
    • The Edvocate Podcast
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Topics
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development Tech
    • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
    • EdTech Futures
    • EdTech News
    • EdTech Policy & Reform
    • EdTech Startups & Businesses
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • Online Learning & eLearning
    • Parent & Family Tech
    • Personalized Learning
    • Product Reviews
  • Advertise
  • Apps
  • Tech Edvocate Awards
  • The Edvocate
  • P-20 Ed Careers
  • Product Review of eHall Pass

  • Product Review of Big Maths

  • Product Review of School Pod

  • Product Review of GoRead

  • Product Review of Sparx Math

  • Product Review of 99math

  • Product Review of Eduten

  • Product Review of Cue Math

  • Product Review of Satchel One

  • Product Review for RM Unify

EdTech News
Home›EdTech News›NYC sets 2026 deadline for universal computer science — but what’s being done until then?

NYC sets 2026 deadline for universal computer science — but what’s being done until then?

By Matthew Lynch
September 7, 2016
5976
0
Spread the love

How to help public schools close tech gap before mayor’s 2026 deadline

This article was written by Anant Agarwal

Pleasant View Elementary School second grader Maylin Flores works on a computer project in their classroom this past May.

Photo: Gretchen Ertl

 

There’s a great divide in the technology industry: many companies have open positions job-seekers desire, but the candidates lack the skills they need to do the work.

That’s why as an education advocate and Massachusetts Institute of Technology computer science and electrical engineering professor, I applaud New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s recent announcement of an immense effort to increase computer science education in public school classrooms.

In moving forward with this initiative, the Mayor takes important steps toward solving a looming crisis faced by the private sector – the skills gap in technology.

Related: How an unconventional principal used blended learning to turn around a struggling urban school

Mayor de Blasio’s direction is the correct one, but it’s an answer for future pupils, not those sitting in classrooms today. Many current students will miss the computer science instruction slated to come online before 2026 – the Mayor’s proposed deadline. We mustn’t allow the responsibility to fall squarely on the shoulders of the Mayor and the school system. Until our schools ramp up – which will take considerable time – it’s up to all of us to make sure that students get the computer science instruction they need.

The skills gap is an issue we’ve been watching closely at edX. As a non-profit online learning destination with courses from all over the world, our offerings span a wide spectrum of subjects. However, it’s our computer science offerings, including coding classes at the elementary and high school levels, that consistently rank among our most popular, and we’ve heard the same from other online learning providers as well.

Some organizations are tackling this divide head-on and have already seen great success. LaunchCode uses computer science courses, including Harvard University’s free online version of Introduction to Computer Science, as an educational backbone. They take viable candidates with motivation and intelligence – but no coding experience – and quickly ready them for positions in the tech workforce. It’s not easy, but the results have been impressive in cities like St. Louis and Miami where tech talent has historically been tough to find.

Related: Blue-collar town leads Rhode Island’s tech-assisted learning revolution

To ensure that students do not struggle to catch up like these job seekers, it’s imperative that we begin today. Those of us working in education and technology have a particular responsibility to create free and open access to learning tools for computer science.

“Education for students needs to start this very minute. We all have a greater responsibility to get involved right now: preparing ourselves, preparing our children, and preparing for tomorrow.”

We can use the Computer Science technology geared toward our children to create the necessary tools to teach computer science, cost effectively and at scale. We must then encourage pioneering educators, along with parents and motivated students, to use those tools and build technical skills. I’ve seen, first hand, the impact this approach can have.

Earlier this year, Keith Grove, a math teacher in Cambridge, Massachusetts, took advantage of a free online course on Scratch to introduce his seventh and eighth grade students to coding. Scratch is a fun coding language developed by MIT to help instruct young students and computer novices about the world of computer science. Although he himself had little previous coding experience, Grove was able to teach his class using the online course as a tool and guide.

Related: Teachers colleges struggle to blend technology into teacher training

The actions that Mayor de Blasio and his administration take now place New York City in good company with San Francisco and Chicago, other American cities that have implemented public school options for computer science learning.

Progress is already underway: UC Berkeley is currently working on a program to bring computing instruction to 100 New York public high school teachers using existing course materials.

Education for students needs to start this very minute. We all have a greater responsibility to get involved right now: preparing ourselves, preparing our children, and preparing for tomorrow.

The original article was published on TheHechingerReport.

Anant Agarwal is the CEO of edX and a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

TagsEdtechedtechchatelearningSTEAMSTEM
Previous Article

Ving – The Content Management System Educators ...

Next Article

Lower test scores for students who use ...

Matthew Lynch

Related articles More from author

  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech

    Using Smartphones in the Classroom

    December 25, 2016
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Education LeadershipTeachers

    5 Ways to Improve Your District’s Digital Leadership

    January 7, 2018
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Best of the Best ListsEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTech

    17 Online Grading Tools for Busy Educators

    June 25, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech

    Virtual Learning: No Longer for the Select Few

    October 20, 2016
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Online Learning & eLearning

    7 Questions to Ask When Choosing an LMS

    September 16, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech

    Using Free Apps to Create Virtual Learning Experiences

    April 7, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch

Leave a reply Cancel reply

  • Assistive TechnologyLearning DisabilitiesProduct Reviews

    Product Review of Bookshare

  • mobile learning

    Learning And Teaching With Mobile Learning Devices

  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech

    Are You Prepared for These Drawbacks of Bringing Tech to the Classroom?

Search

Login & Registration

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Newsletter

Signup for The Tech Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in EdTech news and opinion delivered to your email address!

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • Product Review of eHall Pass

    By Matthew Lynch
    June 28, 2022
  • Product Review of Big Maths

    By Matthew Lynch
    June 28, 2022
  • Product Review of School Pod

    By Matthew Lynch
    June 28, 2022
  • Product Review of GoRead

    By Matthew Lynch
    June 28, 2022
  • Product Review of Sparx Math

    By Matthew Lynch
    June 28, 2022
  • 20 Top Virtual Reality Apps that are Changing Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 11, 2017
  • 7 Ways Technology Is Impacting Modern Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 4, 2017
  • Why Mobile Technology Enhances Instruction

    By Matthew Lynch
    December 14, 2016
  • 7 Roles for Artificial Intelligence in Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    May 5, 2018
  • Digital Literacy is the Most Important Lifelong Learning Tool

    By Matthew Lynch
    December 30, 2017
  • Onboarding Salespeople: Getting New Sales Reps Up to Speed Quickly
    on
    June 28, 2022

    Understanding the Fundamentals of a Sales Script in Your Customer Interaction Journey

    […] provide a full-picture ...
  • The Changing Role of Social Responsibility – Perfect Release
    on
    June 27, 2022

    How to Teach Kids Social Responsibility in a Connected World

    […] Lynch, M. (2018, ...
  • Teaching Early Geometry Concepts – Ask a Tech Teacher
    on
    June 23, 2022

    Teaching Early Geometry Concepts

    […] spend a lot ...
  • Product Review of Counting Bills & Coins – The Tech Edvocate | Gold – Silver – ...
    on
    June 21, 2022

    Product Review of Counting Bills & Coins

    […] Product Review of ...
  • The Edtech Industry Has An Oversaturation Problem - latecareer
    on
    June 20, 2022

    Is the Edtech Industry Flunking Out or Making the Grade?

    […] Lynch at The ...

EdTech Policy & Reform

  • Curriculum & InstructionEdTech Policy & ReformEducation Leadership

    Why We Should Leave Behind the Cookie-cutter Education

    Spread the loveChange appears to be the only “constant” factor in the educational field. However, what happens when a more significant shift becomes necessary? To provide students with the best ...
  • Adaptive LearningCurriculum & InstructionDigital & Mobile TechnologyDigital Age TeachersEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformInstructional Technology

    Exploring New Ideas: Student-Driven Remote Learning

    Spread the loveRemote learning is taking its toll on our students. They miss the social side of school. Not seeing their classmates or teachers is leading to nervousness, anxiety, and ...
  • Digital & Mobile TechnologyEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & Reform

    Implementing Education Technology by Pursuing Technology Education

    Spread the loveTechnology is used for many great things in our world. It’s a powerful tool when used correctly. As such, this powerful tool can be used to transform learning.  ...
  • EdTech Policy & Reform

    How Much Bias Is Okay in Your School?

    Spread the loveThe algorithm has proven itself to be a handy tool when it comes to solving education problems. It’s also not without bias.  You may be wondering how some ...
  • EdTech Policy & ReformFeaturedFresh

    Edtech Should Complement Good Pedagogy, Not Attempt to Replace It

    Spread the loveThe newest generation of edtech is downright amazing; it’s no wonder that various education stakeholders might be a little excited about its potential to transform education. However, edtech ...

EdTech Startups & Businesses

  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    Edtech Companies Can Learn What Not to Do From Delta Airlines

    Spread the loveIt seems that edtech companies still have a lot to learn about their business models and practices. With that being said, there is a lot they can learn ...
  • Digital LeadershipEdTech Startups & BusinessesProduct Reviews

    Product Review of Collegix

    Spread the love This is a comprehensive ERP solution for colleges and universities that provides modular, totally integrated learners services, finance, HR, and advancement. Collegix provides online and offline workarounds ...
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech Startups & BusinessesProduct Reviews

    Product Review of Discovery Education

    Spread the love Discovery Education is a big player in EdTech. The company has established itself as the leading provider of digital curriculum resources, digital content, and professional development for ...
  • EdTech Startups & BusinessesProduct Reviews

    Product Review of AptaFund

    Spread the loveAptaFund is a business management software that provides essential functions to educational institutions, such as web access to educators, parents, and learners. It allows elementary schools and other educational ...
  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    Understanding the Fundamentals of a Sales Script in Your Customer Interaction Journey

    Spread the loveSales scripts are crucial to any business and can be the main difference in achieving the set targets. A well-written sales script that factors in customers from different ...

Digital Equity

  • Digital & Mobile TechnologyDigital EquityDigital Literacy

    Teaching Learners Digital Content Creation Skills

    Spread the loveContent curation is nothing new and has always been a coveted skill. It has been this way for hundreds of years — think of art galleries, museums, or ...
  • Digital & Mobile TechnologyDigital EquityEdTech & Innovation

    Promoting Online Access With Hotspots, Laptops, and Planning

    Spread the loveWhen becoming a leader in the field of education, it is important to consider equity. Some students may not have access to devices or the internet from their ...
  • Digital EquityDigital Leadership

    How Can You Assess the Tech Needs of Your Students Outside of School?

    Spread the loveToday, I received an email from the middle school principal in Los Angeles. She explained to me that the school that she ran was in one of the ...
  • Digital Equity

    It Is Time for the Edtech Industry to Stop Denying Its Equity and Race Problem

    Spread the loveThe EdTech industry is dominated by white employees, white leaders, and white entrepreneurs. If you doubt this statement, just attend an Edtech conference. Admittedly, educators and others don’t ...
  • Digital Equity

    How OER Can Help Overcome the Higher Education Equity Barrier

    Spread the loveThe cornerstone of the American dream is the ability to succeed in life regardless of one’s family of origin. And, for most people, that requires a college education. ...

EdTech Futures

  • Adaptive LearningAssistive TechnologyEdTech FuturesInstructional TechnologyTeachers

    Will AI Replace Teachers?

    Spread the loveThrough the years, robots have taken over many jobs. First, they replaced horses and wagons and horses and plows, then they started to replace people. A few examples ...
  • EdTech FuturesHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechUncategorized

    The Future of Higher Education Must Avoid Returning to the Past

    Spread the loveColleges and universities can make higher education safer, smarter, and more accessible through automation and collaboration technologies – if they commit to it. Author: John Hulen, Director of ...
  • EdTech FuturesOnline Learning & eLearning

    IT Trends To Watch As Higher Education Moves Into a New Decade

    Spread the loveEdtech couldn’t have hoped for a better launch into the new decade than the push the industry received from COVID-19. Even the most tech-resistant institutions and individuals have ...
  • EdTech Futures

    4 Emerging EdTech Trends in 2022

    Spread the loveCovid-19 has not only changed education as we know it, but it has forced education technology (EdTech) to up its game. EdTech has been crucial since the start of this ...
  • Adult EducationEdTech & InnovationEdTech FuturesEducation LeadershipEducational LeadershipHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechThe Future of Education

    Education Technology and the Future of Higher Ed Leadership

    Spread the loveEducation Technology (EdTech) has had a more significant impact on education than anyone expected. Now its effects are reaching into the field of higher education. In this article, ...

About Us

Since technology is not going anywhere and does more good than harm, adapting is the best course of action. That is where The Tech Edvocate comes in. We plan to cover the PreK-12 and Higher Education EdTech sectors and provide our readers with the latest news and opinion on the subject. From time to time, I will invite other voices to weigh in on important issues in EdTech. We hope to provide a well-rounded, multi-faceted look at the past, present, the future of EdTech in the US and internationally.

We started this journey back in June 2016, and we plan to continue it for many more years to come. I hope that you will join us in this discussion of the past, present and future of EdTech and lend your own insight to the issues that are discussed.

Newsletter

Signup for The Tech Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in EdTech news and opinion delivered to your email address!

Contact Us

The Tech Edvocate
5322 Markel Road, Suite 104
Richmond, VA 23230
(601) 630-5238
[email protected]

Follow us

Copyright © 2022 Matthew Lynch. All rights reserved.