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Computer literacy is increasingly becoming a ticket into the functioning global economy, but billions of people still don't know how to get one. [I own 34 shares of Microsoft.]
[Jump to page 2 to see the live interview.]
Lori Forte Harnick, General Manager, Microsoft Citizenship & Public Affairs, explains, "There is a lack of resources to teach computer science in schools globally, as well as a lack of understanding in why computer science matters. Young people and their parents need inspiration to pursue computer science and combat the stereotypes associated with the field."
"As technology has become an integral part of people’s daily lives around the world, we’re seeing a growing demand – from students, parents, teachers, governments, and nonprofits – to teach youth not only how to use technology, but also how to create technology to help them become the innovators and drivers of growth and opportunity in their communities," she adds.
Few companies have a bigger incentive to be a part of the solution to this problem than Microsoft. Appropriately, the company is stepping up in a meaningful way.
Harnick says, "Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently announced an expansion of the YouthSpark program to increase access to computer science education for all youth worldwide, and especially for those from under-represented backgrounds, with a $75 million commitment in community investments over the next three years."
Microsoft has the ability to drive impact at scale. As Harnick notes, "We are creating opportunities for youth around the world to learn computer science by building the capacity of teachers, trainers and nonprofit organizations. Globally, this includes support for our nonprofit partners in more than 80 countries around the world to help them build capacity to offer computer science courses broadly in their communities, especially to young people who, otherwise, would not have access to a computer education."
The effort isn't just international. "In the US, our commitment includes one of the flagship programs, Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS), which pairs volunteers from across the technology industry with classroom teachers to bring computer science courses into 170+ high schools across the United States. The US-only program started in 2009 and will grow 5x in three years bringing the total reach to 650 schools across 33 states by FY18. That means we will want 2,000 tech industry volunteers to join in the effort to team teach with existing classroom teachers 30,000 students enrolled in rigorous CS classes at TEALS partner schools. In addition, TEALS volunteers create a ripple effect, impacting not just the students they teach, but the thousands of students who will study CS with the hundreds of teacher they help prepare," she says.
Harnick says that Microsoft has a clear vision of the future. "As we seek to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, our vision for the future is one where all young people around the world have access to computer science education so they can become critical thinkers, adept problem-solvers and creative contributors to their communities, no matter what field of study or career path they choose” she concludes.
On Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 3:00 PM Eastern, Harnick will join me for a live discussion about Microsoft's effort to improve computer literacy around the world, providing underprivileged kids with tickets to the global economy. Tune in here then to watch the interview live. Post questions in the comments below or tweet questions before the interview to @devindthorpe.
You can download an audio podcast here or subscribe via iTunes.
More about Microsoft:
Twitter: @microsoft, @MSFTCitizenship
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft YouthSpark is a global initiative to increase access for all youth to learn computer science, empowering them to achieve more for themselves, their families and their communities. Three years ago, we launched Microsoft YouthSpark, a cross-company initiative that created educational, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for more than 300 million youth around the world. We will continue to work in partnership with governments, nonprofit organizations and businesses as we now focus on providing opportunities for all youth to learn computer science.
Lori Forte Harnick, Microsoft general manager for Corporate Citizenship, shares insights from the... [+]
Harnick's bio:
Twitter: @LoriHarnick
Lori Forte Harnick is Microsoft’s General Manager for Citizenship & Public Affairs. In this role, Lori leads Microsoft’s global work on corporate social responsibility and service to communities. Prior to joining Microsoft, Lori was a Managing Director at Burson-Marsteller and the Global Public Affairs Director at the Business Software Alliance. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Connecticut and her Master of Business Administration degree from The George Washington University.
