Innovative IT Education and Enterprise Training
An article in the Sunday Business Post on Sunday 11th December referenced an innovative system of computer education that teaches school kids how to code and its called Coder Dojo.
Its effectively a computer club for kids who are aged 7 to 14 who are taught coding in several languages by volunteers (Dojo’s) who range from CEO’s to students who have a passion for computer coding.
A real step forward in IT education, it actually teaches kids how to harness the real power of IT to create app’s, website and games rather than the standard computer education in schools which teaches students how to use excel, word etc. This movement has caught the attention of the government as Whelton was invited to explain the idea to a Dail sub-committee on education and skills recently.
One of the great things about this system of IT education is that is the brainchild of a 19 year old called James Whelton who had the vision and innovativeness to implement this system in Ireland. He is now exporting the idea internationally.
So, how is this relevant to enterprise training? While IT skills, coding in particular, are undoubtedly essential for our young people to learn as early as possible, why can’t the same philosophy be applied to entrepreneurship through enterprise training – an ‘Enterprise Dojo’ if you will?
This can be viewed two fold:
1. Do our IT programmers and software developers have the necessary enterprise and commercial skills to bring one of their innovations to market successfully?
2. Who is teaching these skills to our young people?
While Coder Dojo looks to be the real deal, what about a follow-on programme or a programme that works in tandem with this to teach our kids real entrepreneurial skills? Coming up with the idea is only one piece of the puzzle – what about finance, marketing, sales, strategic planning and leadership skills? These skills are essential too for a young, dynamic, innovative coder to acquire to help them get their next big game, app or website off the ground.
This brings up the notion of embedding entrepreneurship in the curriculum which has been talked about before at government level for some time. Most recently the ‘CPA Entrepreneurship Report’ recommended that “The Department of Education should as a matter of urgency make provision for the introduction of entrepreneurship to the second level school curriculum”
While enterprise training and education does exist at secondary schools, mainly through the 4th year ‘Student Enterprise Awards’ run in conjunction with the County and City Enterprise Boards, it certainly does not go far enough to help with a national economic recovery through entrepreneurship. If pursued, the model of ‘Coder Dojo’ should be followed i.e. real entrepreneurs and industry experts should teach these skills to ensure that maximum knowledge transfer is achieved.
A more focused approach on entrepreneurship at third level also needs to be put in place and the work of David Gibson in Queens University Belfast should be noted where Enterprise education is now embedded in 116 pathways across all academic disciplines, reaching 11,000 students across the University, and has led to over 1,100 students directly engaging in business activity.
Our economic recovery will depend largely on the entrepreneurial talent that currently being educated in schools all around the country. Progression to an entrepreneurial and innovation led economy should surly involve teaching our young people these vital skills at a very early age. A ‘Enterprise Dojo’ movement is required as soon as possible – Mr. Whelton, if you’re reading, this could be your next project!
What is your thoughts on the embedding of innovation and entreprenurship in the school curriculum
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