This episode looks at the success of coding initiatives in schools across Asia Pacific region

STUDENTS are embracing coding and computer sciences in increasing numbers, with millions expected to participate in the global  Hour of Code initiative taking place this week.

Over the past five years, the number of students in the Asia Pacific region who are learning to code has increased dramatically, with China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia, introducing education reforms which have placed computer science on the curriculum alongside traditional subjects, such as numeracy and literacy.

Originally published at Asian Correspondent 

This episode is also available as a blog post: 

http://teachersnotes.net/2017/12/12/students-across-asia-pacific-embrace-computer-sciences/

This episode looks at the importance of music classes in schools

A correlation between music and learning has long been recognised, but the benefits of music education are much greater than most people realise. The popular Mozart Effect has been proven by various scientific studies and over the past 20 years there have several more large-scale studies which have concluded there is a clear relationship between learning to play an instrument, brain development and academic success. Research has also shown that learning to play a musical instrument benefits cognitive function, intelligence, motor skills, emotions, creativity and attitudes towards learning.

This episode is also available as a blog post: 

https://teachersnotes.net/2018/09/26/the-importance-of-music-in-schools/

This episode look at the impact Minecraft has made in the past ten years.

Blurring the lines between gaming, education and popular culture, it’s seems as though Minecraft has been around forever, but in fact this extremely popular game has only just reached double figures.

Jens Bergensten and the Mojang team who have developed Minecraft into one of the world’s most famous computer games are currently celebrating Minecraft’s 10th birthday with live events, special competitions, new maps and the release of the much anticipated Minecraft Earth, which enables players to interact with real world using augmented reality.

This episode is also available as a blog post: 

http://teachersnotes.net/2019/06/30/happy-birthday-minecraft/

This episode provides a short summary of the reasons why all students should be learning to write computer code.

Learning to write computer code used to be considered something that only gamers, hackers and residents of Silicon Valley would find useful, but all that is changing.

Today’s students need to learn the basics of computer coding so they can understand how computer programs work and be able to write their own programs, create their own websites and develop their own apps. Simply learning how to use computer software and mobile apps may have been sufficient for previous generations but it is simply not enough for today’s learners.

This episode is also available as a blog post: 

http://teachersnotes.net/2020/10/06/the-importance-of-learning-to-code/

Written by Daniel Maxwell

In this episode we look at the digital gender divide, and the progress needed to improve gender equality.

Despite significant efforts from international organisations, governments and the private sector, gender inequality remains an issue across every region of the world. According to one World Economic Forum report, it could take 108 years to close the gender gap and a further 100 years to achieve economic gender parity.

The disparity between men and women in society affects learning opportunities, educational attainment, economic participation, healthcare and political empowerment. While each of these areas requires urgent action, it’s the success with which the digital divide is tackled that looks set to have the greatest impact on future levels of gender equality.

Originally published on Study International 

https://www.studyinternational.com/news/closing-digital-gender-imbalance/

This episode is also available as a blog post: 

http://teachersnotes.net/2020/11/22/closing-the-digital-gender-divide/

Written by Daniel Maxwell