Mozilla Webmaker To Teach Users How To Code

Mozilla is to launch a new product dubbed Mozilla Webmaker, which aims to get the vast number of Web users involved in the actual coding of the web.

In a 22 May post about the new project, Matt Thompson, Mozilla’s communications director, said the goal of Mozilla Webmaker is to help millions of people move from using the web to making the web.

Joining Mozilla in the effort are organisations such as from Tumblr, Creative Commons, Code for America, SoundCloud, the San Francisco Public Library, the London Zoo, and dozens of others, the company said.

Vital Skill

“Today, we’re proud to launch ‘Mozilla Webmaker,’ a new program to help people everywhere make, learn and play using the open building blocks of the web,” Thompson said. “With new tools to use, projects to create, and events to join, we want to help the world increase their understanding of the web and take greater control of their online lives.”

Mozilla’s Executive Director, Mark Surman, says Webmaker is the product of Mozilla’s growing commitment to learning, and the culmination of experiments it began with the Mozilla Drumbeat project.

“The web is becoming the world’s second language, and a vital 21st century skill – as important as reading, writing and arithmetic,” Surman said. “It’s crucial that we give people the skills they need to understand, shape and actively participate in that world, instead of just passively consuming it. That maker spirit and open ethos is vital to Mozilla, our partners, and the web.”

Mozilla Webmaker will provide tools, projects and community. There will be authoring tools and software designed and built with the community. In addition, Mozilla will offer up starter projects, how-to projects and recipes to help people at all levels make something with the web. And the community aspect comes in the form of Mozilla working to bring people with diverse skills and backgrounds together. “From web ninjas to newbies,” Thompson said. “All making and learning together at events, meet-ups and hack jams everywhere.”

Summer Arrival

Mozilla plans to officially launch the Webmaker effort with a summer learning campaign called the Summer Code Party, which will kick off on 23 June, run all summer and then wrap up on 23 September.

“We’re inviting everyone to join or volunteer at free local events and teach-ins around the world,” Thompson said. “With new Webmaker tools, event kits and starter projects designed to make it easy, social and fun.”

A new Mozilla Webmaker web site launches 6 June, he said.

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