The people's republic of coders
19.05.12
BRIAN O'CONNELL
Conceived in a school computer room in Cork, the CoderDojo initiative is on the verge of going global – and its rapid expansion in Ireland may give us a clue about where our economic future lies
THE BEST-placed people to lead Ireland out of the current economic situation are probably not suited executives or politicians presenting well-meaning jobs plans. No, the drivers of Ireland’s next economic upswing are most likely wearing hoodies and scuffed trainers and have to be in bed by 10pm on school nights. They’re quite possibly bored in school, frustrated by a lack of opportunities afforded to them in real life compared with their evolving digital worlds.
These young people are among a generation of digital consumers, who are fast becoming IT creators. And for them, the Irish education system can be a let-down.
This was the scenario 19-year-old computer entrepreneur James Whelton faced, until one day in secondary school in Cork he started a computer club. Initially, the idea was for him and his mates to knock around a few IT problems and solutions, and his school gave him the use of the computer room one evening a week.
Source: Irish Times
