Next week (8-14 December 2014) is Computer Science Education Week and the Hour of Code is coming to the UK. More than 3 million people have tried an Hour of Code already, in an initiative that aims to dispel any myths that computer programming is difficult and to provide parents, teachers and students across the nation with an enjoyable introduction to coding. Code.org hope that this will help build awareness of and confidence in the changes that have come in the September 2014 English school curriculum.

It’s not just in schools either – my employer has 24 “hour of code” workshops scheduled all over the country for our technical staff to give non-techies a one-hour introduction to the basics of computer programming and there’s been a fantastic sign-up rate.

Other IT companies are getting involved too (actually, there’s an extensive list of partners) including Apple, who are hosting Hour of Code workshops in Apple Stores across the world on 11 December (I’m hoping to get at least one of my sons to come along with me). It’s billed as “no experience needed” and for “ages 6-106”.

If computer programming is a mystery to you but it might be something of interest, find out more about the hour of code on the Code.org UK website or follow @codeorg on Twitter.

And if the Hour of Code whets your appetite, you might like to check out some of these resources:

• Code Academy is simple, and focused on web/online programming with almost instant results.
• Microsoft Virtual Academy provides video tutorials and more, arranged into coherent courses.
• The Khan Academy has a good interface and offers material on a additional topics too.
• The Saylor Academy’s computer science programme offers material that will help studies to degree level.
• Coursera provides free on-line classes from over 115 partners.
• Future Learn shows you how to build a mobile game in one of the many courses offered to connect people and ideas.
• Microsoft Imagine helps you to get started in coding.
• There are another 20 hours of code at the code.org studio.

[Update 10 December 2014: added Microsoft Imagine to the list]

[Update 14 December 2014: added 20 hours of code to the list]