Does Learning to Code Make a Student More Successful?

In its simplest definition, coding is the task of describing the operations to be performed on a computer system or devices in a language that the computer or device can understand. Coding education is a very important skill so that new generations can carry out the professions of the future and become well-equipped and successful individuals. So much so that coding, which contributes to the development of many 21st century skills such as problem solving, collaborative work, critical thinking, we were leaders, productivity, media literacy and writing, also appears as a new 21st century skill. In this context, an individual who can code will stand out among his peers in many ways, both in his personal and working life, and will make a difference. How is it today that "Is it necessary to learn to read and write?" If a question such as "Is it necessary to know how to code?" The question is also open to discussion.

Coding develops skills such as analytical thinking, problem solving, setting up algorithms, and computational thinking. Many developed countries include coding education in their curriculum and carry out considerable studies in this field. The biggest reason why European countries include coding education in their curricula is to provide students with the 21st century skills that we briefly mentioned above. In addition, some countries support individuals who know how to code from early childhood to meet employment in the sector. In Turkey, since the 2012-2013 academic year, Information Technologies and Software courses have been gradually given from the 5th grade in order to teach students how to code.

Coding is a new way of thinking, producing and designing, and coding is a branch that is fed not only from the field of technology but also from all other fields, that is, it adopts an interdisciplinary approach. Coding education can be used with other disciplines, supports other disciplines and supports success in different fields. In a study, it was concluded that the students who received coding education at an early age had more creativity abilities, different thinking and metacognition skills than the students who did not. Again, according to the results of a similar study, it was determined that students who knew how to write code were effective in learning mathematical subjects, in the development of problem solving methods, and on systematic and creative thinking. When the literature is examined, it is possible to come across many studies that show that coding education supports many skills in students and that it is more successful in fields such as science, mathematics and even art.

It is seen that the self-efficacy beliefs of the students who know how to write code have a positive and strong effect on their success. Students with a high level of self-efficacy belief work hard, continue to work persistently when faced with difficulties, use learning strategies effectively, and become successful. Individuals who can write codes have made a positive and positive difference in every work, both in the technological field and in terms of acquiring other knowledge and skills. We, too, should grasp the importance of coding education for a generation that is more successful, able to find creative solutions to problems, productive, able to work collaboratively, lead when necessary, keep up with the current age and even guide them, and we should try to teach children this skill.