Plenarinis pranešimas „Kompiuterininkų dienos – 2015“, Panevėžyje, KTU PTVF 2013-09-18

1. Coding, computing or digital
literacy
Jakub Christoph
Panevėžys, 18 September 2015

2. What are we talking about?
• Computer programming is the process of developing and implementing
various sets of instructions to enable a computer to perform a certain task, solve
problems, and provide human interactivity. These instructions (source codes which
are written in a programming language) are considered computer programs and
help the computer to operate smoothly .
• Coding, on a technical level is a type of computer programming that closely
represents what happens at the lowest (machine) level. However, when most
people talk about coding, they usually mean something at a higher, more human-
readable level . The terms programming and coding are usually used
interchangeably.
• Computer science is an academic discipline covering principles such as
algorithms, data structures, programming, systems architecture, design, problem
solving, etc. Computer science encompasses foundational principles (such as a
theory of computation) and widely applicable ideas and concepts (such as the use
of relational models to capture structure in data)

3. What are we talking about?
• Computing is the term which in digital skills debate is often used
interchangeably with the term ‘computer science’. In the UK, computing is defined
as a broad subject area that encompasses both computer science and digital
literacy.
• Computational thinking is a problem solving process which lies at the
heart of computer science. Computational thinking involves formulating problems
that enables to use computer to solve them; logically organising and analysing
data, representing data through abstractions, automating solutions through
algorithmic thinking; identifying, analysing, and implementing possible solutions
with the goal of achieving the most efficient and effective combination of steps and
resources; generalising and transferring this problem solving process to a wide
variety of problems, etc.
• Digital literacy – basic set of skills required to participate in essential ICT
user activities. Typical skills would include the ability to work with numbers and
documents (software such as word processors and spreadsheets), the ability to
use a web browser, e-mail and internet search engines securely and effectively.

4. In short…

5. IT Skills GAP
• European Commission: 825,000
ICT vacancies by 2020
• 1.3 Trillion dollars lost globally
• Europe losing competitive edge
• Sharp increase in IT services
outsourcing

6. Tackling by Policy
• 3 countries added coding as compulsory part of

7. Digital Skills Policy

8. Tackling by initiatives, competitions,
freebies

9. Where does it leave digital literacy ?

10. Digital Skills in Europe

11. Digital Skills in the US
The Digital Skills Gap In The Workforce
Middle-skill jobs, those that require more
than a high school education but less than a
bachelor’s degree, comprise 39% of U.S.
employment.
Two-thirds of Americans don’t have a
college degree, and these jobs represent
important career opportunities for them.
Nearly eight in 10 middle-skill jobs require
digital skills. Spreadsheet and word
processing proficiencies have become a
baseline requirement for (78%) of middle-
skill jobs

12. Digital Skills in the US
The Digital Skills Gap In The Workforce

13. Digital Skills in the US
The Digital Skills Gap In The Workforce

14. Digital Skills in the UK
Categories of skills requirements

15. British Computer Society Study
• 81% require their workforce to have digital skills
• 52% believe their workforce has the digital skills to meet their future challenges
• 97% rated email skills as very or quite important,
• 92% rated word processing skills as very or quite important
• 89% rated spreadsheet skills as very or quite important
• 71% rated social media skills as very or quite important
Survey of HR Professionals and Employers

16. Workplace Skills Gap
UK Dept. for Business, Innovation & Skills – Skills for Life Survey

17. Digital Skills Policy

18. Digital Skills Policy
The national curriculum for computing aims to ensure that all pupils:
• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of
computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data
representation
• can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical
experience of writing computer programs in order to solve such problems
• can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar
technologies, analytically to solve problems
• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and
communication technology

19. Within next 2-5 years 90% of
jobs will need at least basic
computer skills.

20. 80% of them will require
digital literacy level

21. ECDL- European standard of digital literacy

22. Thank you for your attention
Jakub.christoph@ecdl.org