French schools all the way down to the elementary level now offer coding classes, a measure long advocated by France's National Council on Digital Affairs (CNNum). How do you view these programs?
Initiatives such as this one are worthwhile. The Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs has integrated IT education into every level of the French curriculum. Since the government understandably prohibits the creation of new classes, certain technology classes have been turned into IT classes. Yet things are still done in a piecemeal fashion.
So should IT be given its own place?
Yes. Technology is changing everything from the way the government functions to consumer trends and social interactions. Similarly, in the 1960s, it was obvious we should be teaching physics. Yet it's a struggle to introduce a new subject.
IT is a strategic interest for France. The recent McKinsey study showed that companies value digital skills. Silicon Valley prizes French computer engineers but there aren't many of them.
Where do things stand in higher education?
French universities don't have enough IT research units. One very smart field tackling societal changes is the digital humanities. Other disciplines need to follow suit.
What about the lack of qualified professors?
The minister has highlighted this issue. The CNNum has pushed for training for specialists in engineering, popular education and the nonprofit sector. That is one way to help teaching evolve.
Given that IT impacts every part of society, is it hard for professors to know what to teach their students and how?
We need politicians to lead the way during this transitional period in society. We talk about open democracy but how is that reflected in our curricula? At the CNNum, we feel that curricula should cover all the social changes set into motion by technology: collaborative work and design practices, entrepreneurship and new forms of creativity.
Some have lobbied against IT-focused education.
I don't understand it. The goal is not to promote IT but to educate our youth so that they can drive technology rather than being driven by it.
