Much is said about the “tech-savvy” generation. Kids raised with computers, cell phones, high-end video games, etc. But what, exactly, is tech-savvy? To me, that means having at least a working knowledge of the technology that drives the device, not just the ability to use the device. It seems to me that, for the most part, the so-called tech-savvy generation is a generation of tech consumers, not designers or creators.
Mitch Resnick, creator of Scratch, makes an argument for the need to teach kids technical skills (coding, specifically), starting at a young age. In this TED video, he describes in a very compelling way how technical skills can be applied in many areas of life. Even if a child doesn’t grow up to be a software engineer, for example, these skills will still be useful because of the analytical thinking and other traits they instill.
Instead of raising a generation that knows how to post on Facebook, send text messages, and watch YouTube videos, wouldn’t it be great if we had a generation that could create social media sites, develop messaging apps, and produce compelling streaming content?
We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.
Carl Sagan