Should every student learn how to code?

“What most schools don’t teach”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKIu9yen5nc&feature=youtu.be

Someone recently sent me this video link and asked my opinion to the question “Should every student learn how to code?” My quick answer is yes. Logically we all realize that the predominance of jobs in the future will require some knowledge of computers and learning to code is as valuable as learning to speak a world language. It also is a natural fit in our Middle School where every student has an ipad and participates in 21st century learning. The issue is how can we accomplish this during the school day? I think in order to answer that question we need to examine what the State requires us to teach. For example in our Middle School we still have the same curriculum as when I went to school. Home Economics changed its name to Family and Consumer Science but the curriculum hasn’t radically been altered. The same is true of Educational Technology (woodshop). I still use the skills I learned in middle school shop. While I see the value in both of those classes, are these topics essential knowledge for the next generation? I speak to many people that reminisce about his/her personal experiences in school and tell me “If it was good enough for me it’s good enough for my kids”. In some cases we need to ‘let go’ of content and subjects we enjoyed (or not) and make way for new topics and content that better prepare our youngsters for life after high school. The time is upon us to question some of our mandated State curriculum and question its relevance in preparing the next generation of students.