Learn how to code with these Microsoft resources

Code is shaping the way we live! Each and every interaction between humans and devices is governed by it. Whether you want to be a fashion blogger, social entrepreneur or journalist, mastering the new language in Europe, coding and computational thinking, will set young Europeans up for the next top jobs in the region!

Coding is about a new way of problem solving that develops critical skills to express creativity and learn new digital skills! Skills that encourage Europe’s young people to become creators of technology, not just consumers.

There are around 2 million job vacancies currently in the EU, and the number of digital jobs is growing by more than 100,000 per year. Computer science and the ability to code is the foundation for many jobs today, both in the tech field and not, and those that will be created in the future. Collectively, we must focus on an acute skills gap as forecast to reach 900,000 ICT vacancies by 2020 (IDC, Eurostat) and an unmet educational and economic development need – that of computer science education.

To face this challenge, in March 2013 the European Commission launched the Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs, a multi-stakeholder partnership that facilitates collaboration among public and private actors to take action attracting young people into digital education. Under this initiative and in alignment with the European e-Skills for Jobs Campaign, and Europe Code Week, Microsoft is a leading member of an industry coalition that has launched a European coding platform of educational resources in partnership with code.org and European Schoolnet. This campaign will make coding more accessible to European youth with a parallel aim to drive forward computer science integration into national curricula across EU member states.

Microsoft brings unique solutions to the skills mismatch in Europe by providing scaled education opportunities, digital skills and entrepreneurship training under the YouthSpark initiative that helps to prepare youth for quality jobs in the region.

Wait no longer! Check out the following coding resources!

“The Hour of Code helps students discover the fun of coding and more importantly, how it can be a catalyst to create and achieve great things” – Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft

Microsoft firmly supports the Hour of Code because we believe that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science. The code.org platform allows every young person to learn the basic concepts of computer science and try their hand at coding. Check out the new European coding platform packed with resources at www.eu.code.org.

Kodu lets people with no coding background create games on the PC and Xbox via a simple visual programming language. Kodu can be used to teach creativity, problem solving, storytelling, as well as programming. Anyone can use Kodu to make a game, young children as well as adults with no design or programming skills. Visit www.kodugamelab.com.

It puts the “fun” back into computer programming. With a friendly development environment that is very easy to master, it eases both kids and adults into the world of programming. Visit www.smalbasic.com.

This resource lets you create apps on the iPad, iPhone, Android, PC, Mac, Windows Phone. Our touch-friendly editor makes coding fun, even on your phone or tablet! Visit www.touchdevelop.com.

Project Spark is a “game maker” video game for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. It is special for its core ability to customize the games and let players tell more individual stories. Visit www.projectspark.com.

The European AppCup is a competition dedicated to start-ups and individuals who develop apps. The Appcup givesEuropean students and youth an opportunity to compete with their own Windows apps in consumer, business or City Next categories. Check out more on www.appcup.eu.

 

Tags: Coding, Computer science, Kodu, YouthSpark