In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an important technology that affects many parts of our lives, including education. Code.org is one of the platforms that helps students learn computer science early on, and its "AI for Oceans" module is designed to teach young students about the basics of AI and machine learning. But is this tool being used in Canadian schools?
Code.org/AI and "AI for Oceans" are being used in some Canadian classrooms, especially those that want to focus on early computer science education. Many school districts in Canada have started using these resources to get students interested in AI concepts and to spark their curiosity. The use of Code.org can vary from one province to another, but the lessons fit well with Canada’s goal of adding more technology learning to schools. "AI for Oceans," for example, is interactive and age-appropriate, helping students learn about AI ethics, data, and machine learning, all while cleaning up an ocean filled with plastic. These fun and interactive lessons are especially great for younger students, and Canadian teachers find them helpful for starting discussions on how AI is used in our world.
Canada's AI Education Efforts
Canada isn’t just using platforms like Code.org; it's also working hard to add AI education to school lessons. The Canadian government has made plans to help students learn about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) at an early age, because these skills will be important for future jobs. Many schools in Canada are adding AI and data literacy to their existing lessons, going beyond just coding and giving students real examples of AI in action. For example, Ontario has invested in training teachers on how to teach AI and talk about technology and ethics, while British Columbia is adding AI lessons to its technology courses.
There are also many extracurricular programs that help students learn outside of regular classes. Organizations like Kids Code Jeunesse and partnerships with Microsoft and Google Canada are helping improve AI learning at all school levels. These programs offer coding boot camps, hackathons, and hands-on workshops that help students understand how AI works and why it matters in their everyday lives.
Canada's Global Position in AI Education and Investment
Canada is doing well compared to other countries when it comes to AI investment and education. The country is known as an early leader in AI, partly thanks to a lot of investment in research. Famous AI researchers like Geoffrey Hinton have helped make Canada an important place for AI development. Canada is also investing in AI education, not just at universities but also in elementary and high schools. The Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy has provided more funding for AI education and research, aiming to train students who can work in this growing field.
Compared to other countries, Canada is different because it promotes AI learning in an inclusive way. While countries like China and the United States put a lot of money into AI, Canada’s strength is in balancing research with educational programs that start early. Unlike some countries that mainly focus on AI at the university level, Canada starts teaching kids about AI in school, making it easy and fun for them to understand the basics.
Code.org and Its Benefits for Canadian Education
Code.org is a nonprofit group that aims to make computer science learning available to all students, especially young ones. It offers many courses to make coding and AI easy to learn, even for beginners. For elementary and middle school students in Canada, Code.org is a great addition to what they already learn in school, making computer science more fun and less scary. Resources like "AI for Oceans" use gamification, which means turning learning into a game, to help students understand complex ideas. This makes it easier for younger students to understand the basics of AI and machine learning.
Using Code.org in Canadian classrooms can help close the skills gap in technology and get students ready for a future where knowing about AI will be just as important as knowing how to read and write. Teachers like using Code.org because the lessons are easy to use, even for teachers who don’t have a strong background in coding or AI. This makes it a great tool for helping students learn about AI in schools of all levels.