In conversation with Varun Kohli, Co-Founder, Coding Blocks
- What is your perspective of coding and the importance of teaching programming?
Coding is the most desired skill of the 21st century. Considered as one of the highest paying and stable careers, traditionally Coding was opted by many students at College level. There exists a general perception that coding is the forte of the ‘Gifted learners’ and cannot be taken up by average students.
Before anything else, we need to address what is Coding and how does one start learning it. Well, simply put, Coding is a way to make software and hardware act upon your instructions. There is a particular way to do this and learning that way is learning to code. It is naturally logical in nature, and hence learning to code teaches good logical ability to learners. In addition, it teaches how to solve a problem by breaking its complexity to a simpler structure and making deductions from it.
- What are the advantages of programming?
Coding is a boon for students as it will help them enhance logical thinking and problem solving from an earlier stage. Coding and programming are game changers in the education system. We will see a new generation that will be using analytical thinking to solve problems. In India, it is the perfect time to teach the children about new age learning which will help them tremendously both in the jobs sector as well as in Entrepreneurship.
- What is the current status of programming in India?
Programming in India is typically opted by students at the higher education level- colleges, universities and the like. Even here, the syllabus of universities or colleges are in urgent need of an overhaul as the current syllabi presents a big challenge to students who need extra hand holding to make sure they are able to clear the placement drives of good tech companies. The key to success is to be aligned with the industry needs at all times. Students need to brace themselves with latest tech stacks and keep practicing Coding problems on a regular basis. Participation in community and Open Source are also good means to stay aligned.
- What can be done to make the situation better? How will it help the IT industry?
Students need to understand that what they learn in college might not be enough and they need to keep themselves aligned with the needs of the IT industry. Practice is the key to success and learning the latest stacks is always beneficial.
The Covid pandemic has evolved the IT industry and it is now functioning well in the Remote working scenario. Well trained, industry aligned students will help the IT industry align easily to Remote protocol and will help students in bagging better opportunities and packages.
- Tell us more about Coding Blocks Junior- a new initiative offering free courses in coding?
Coding Blocks Junior is one of the first initiatives in India to provide free Coding courses in Visual programming, Python, Web development and Robotics to school students across India and abroad.
Coding Blocks Junior has superb mentors, well researched content and all programs on Coding Blocks Junior are Certificate programs. There is no fee for doing the course from Coding Blocks Junior.
Coding Blocks Junior is the long awaited dream of our founder, Manmohan Gupta, an IIT Delhi alumni who believes that Coding should be imparted to all students at the school level.
