A new interactive educational initiative called ‘Every Child Can Code’ has been launched by Sir Clive Sinclair’s team at Retro Computers Ltd.
Sinclair is commonly known for his work in consumer electronics in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He launched the ZX Spectrum, an 8-bit personal home computer in 1982, and in doing so inspired thousands of people to learn to programme.
‘Every Child Can Code’ will cater for children from age seven and younger. The Retro Computers team, which recently launched the ZX Vega games console, plans to encourage and enable children to code their own games programs. The children can then exchange their games with each other via email, and the company will put the best games submitted to it on the web site www.EveryChildCanCode.org for everyone to enjoy.
ABOVE: The Retro Computers team, which recently launched the ZX Vega games console
Dr David Levy, Chairman of Retro Computers Ltd, said: ‘Sir Clive’s Spectrum computer spawned an entire generation of young computer coders during the 1980, making the UK the world leader in this field. We aim to create the same level of enthusiasm for coding amongst today’s youngsters. Nowadays computer code lies at the heart of so many products and services that coding is a vital skill which should be learnt by everyone at school.’
‘Our aim with these championships, as with the entire Every Child Can Code scheme, is to encourage the growth of a new generation of coders in the UK, so our country can once again become a world leader in this field.’
A key component in the Every Child Can Code scheme is a unique child-friendly software ‘coding teacher’, which monitors a child as they code their programs, it warns the child when they have made a coding error, and it assists the child in understanding what they have done wrong in their coding and how to put things right.
The new coding learning scheme will be free of charge and is being launched for the start of the new school year. In parallel with the Every Child Can Code scheme Retro Computers Ltd have also announced the inauguration of the National Schools Coding Championships. There will be one division for primary and prep schools, and another division for secondary and independent schools and sixth-form colleges. Every school in the UK can take part. The prizewinning entries will be added to future versions of the ZX Vega’s collection of 1,000 games.
ABOVE: Sinclair is commonly known for his work in consumer electronics in the late 1970s and early 1980s
Sir Clive Sinclair said: ‘Many children already find coding to be fun and rewarding. With the National Schools Coding Championships we are adding the excitement of competition to the reasons why more children will take up coding with enthusiasm. Our aim with these championships, as with the entire Every Child Can Code scheme, is to encourage the growth of a new generation of coders in the UK, so our country can once again become a world leader in this field.’
