Encouraging Computer Literacy at The Code Zone

On December 2nd it was World Computer Literacy Day, so we wanted to spend this week telling you all about why we believe it’s so important to be computer literate and what we’re doing to encourage computer literacy in our young coders!

Computer literacy is all about our ability to understand and use computers effectively. There’s a wide range of skills that fall under the umbrella of computer literacy, for example; using a mouse, typing on a keyboard, using browsers and search engines, and using online methods of communication such as video chats are all things that you need to be computer literate to be able to do. 

The world gets more and more digital every single day which is why it’s so crucial that young people become computer literate. Most careers require the use of some kind of tech so getting comfortable with it early is hugely beneficial; but we are also constantly exposed to it in our daily lives outside of work. According to Finder.com, 86% of UK adults use online banking and more than a third have a digital only banking account! In addition to this many businesses, from dentists to hairdressers to mechanics, direct customers to online portals in order to manage accounts and book appointments. All of this is to say that being computer literate isn’t just important, it’s essential in the world that we now live in.

This is why we so strongly believe in the importance of encouraging computer literacy here at The Code Zone. In our clubs, members are taught key computer skills from the very beginning of their first ever taster session. Our online clubs use video chats to allow members to communicate with their mentor which means that they’re exposed to concepts such as; clicking and dragging with a mouse to move the video chat around, muting and unmuting themselves, and accepting permissions from a website to allow them to use their camera. 

When our members learn how to code they also pick up key computer skills at the same time! In order to edit a block in Scratch, our young coders need to be able to use their keyboard to type. Many of our artistic members will make use of copying and pasting to move designs between sprites. We also see a few members who have never used a mouse before joining our clubs which means that, by learning to code, they’re also getting regular practice using tech that doesn’t come with a touch screen!

Of course, when you learn to code with us you also pick up specialist skills specifically related to programming and video game development, but anyone who wants to learn these skills needs a solid foundation in the basics first! This is why we offer clubs suitable for all skill levels, so that those who are new to computers can get comfortable using them and those who are already computer whizzes can get stuck into the more complex concepts. 

The best way to find out if our clubs are right for you is to join us for a FREE taster session! In a taster session you’ll get to have a one-to-one chat with one of our brilliant STEM-Certified mentors and you’ll get to experience one of our live clubs in action. We’ll see you there!

Happy coding!