#FETC

The Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) in Orlando this year spotlighted one of the most pressing challenges in global education: making computer science accessible for every student and teacher. With more than 9,000 participants from around the world, experts at the event—including the director of computer science education for an international robotics firm—discussed how tools like block-based programming are leveling the playing field for young learners and non-expert educators alike. For Thailand, where the push for digital transformation is accelerating, these developments resonate strongly with efforts to bridge digital divides across urban and rural classrooms.

A wave of educational innovation is breaking down barriers to computer science, making coding more accessible to both students and teachers globally, with direct relevance to Thailand’s evolving education landscape. At the 2025 Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) in Orlando, experts highlighted the impact of block-based programming tools and a shift in teaching philosophy that could help close Thailand’s digital divide and inspire the next generation of coders.

Across the world, computer science is increasingly recognized as a core future skill. However, many Thai students face steep entry barriers: English-based coding languages, lack of resources, and a shortage of trained teachers. These challenges mirror wider global concerns, but new research and classroom strategies suggest a promising path forward. Block-based programming—where users snap together visual code blocks to build programs—eliminates the intimidating syntax of traditional text-based coding. According to the director of computer science education at VEX Robotics, block-based languages support learning in students’ native tongues and reduce linguistic obstacles: “When you do traditional text-based programming like Pascal, C++, or Python, you’re essentially programming in English, but with block-based programming, you can do it with Chinese, Spanish, Arabic or your native language. It reduces a barrier for them to just get their steps in and say, ‘Hey, I’m able to program’” (PBS NewsHour Classroom).