THE generation that grew up inspired by 1980s home computers is now running the technology industry - and says we need to return to those old values to kick-start kids’ interest in programming.

A few weeks ago, Google chairman Eric Schmidt gave a speech in Edinburgh, in which he gave the UK’s educators a bit of a ticking off for not including computer science in the standard school curriculum.

Schmidt said: “I was flabbergasted to learn that today computer science isn’t even taught as standard in UK schools. Your IT curriculum focuses on teaching how to use software, but gives no insight into how it’s made.”

His comments have been echoed by the publication of a report by some of the best names in the video games industry, which reaches similar conclusions.

“(UK-based high technology) industries suffer from an education system that doesn’t understand their needs. This is reinforced by a school curriculum that focuses on office skills rather than the more rigorous computer science and programming skills,” it said.

The report was written by Ian Livingstone, creator of many of classic games titles of the 1980s, and Alex Hope, head of a movie special effects company.

Livingstone made his name when home computers such as the Sinclair Spectrum and BBC Micro encouraged thousands of youngsters to start programming.

Today’s school computing lessons don’t offer the same kind of inspiration, he says. Teaching kids to use Word isn’t going to inspire them to write their own programs.

It’s possible that all this criticism might force UK syllabus-setters to change what’s taught, but if your kids can’t wait that long, consider downloading Scratch (scratch.mit.edu), free software designed to teach programming to complete beginners.

To download a free PDF copy of Livingston’s report, go to goo.gl/DNpwR

Giles Turnbull

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