Coding in school curriculum

[rebeccanew]

I have been reading a lot about computer coding. Bill Gates is trying to get more schools to teach it. Most people think it is only for the superior minds, but supposedly if you can learn to read, you can learn to code. Just wanted to share.

 

[EasterJoy]

It certainly isn’t beyond an average person’s capacity to have computer coding explained to them: that is, to know what an algorithm is and so on. So sure, learning to write an elementary computer code would be a useful educational enterprise for most (if taught well) and might easily “hook” some who otherwise might not realize they have a knack for it.

What’s the level of accessibility? I’d say it is on the same general level as geometry proofs, and valuable for many of the same reasons. It looks like a linear thought process, but it actually takes imagination and creativity to do it well. Still, it isn’t necessary for everyone to gain a high-level appreciation of the craft.

 

[bzkoss236]

Coding = Logic + Math + Syntax + Language

I would say the benefits of learning to code would help people learn to reason through an idea. And it can also become a form of artistic expression, a creative outlet.

 

[MessyMom]

I’d say most people could learn some very basic programming, but it really takes a certain mindset to program the large and complicated applications.

My husband is a computer programmer. He can learn a new language and become proficient at it in a day or two. He wrote his first program at 6 and could take apart and reassemble his father’s computer at 8 (and considering this was the 80’s home computers very VERY expensive and his father was not pleased). His brain is wired very differently from others, even his co-workers.

So yes, lots of people could learn to program but that isn’t a guarantee they’d be any good at it.

 

[Trigonometric]

Probably a good call by Gates. At this point, almost any engineering field requires some basic programming, and there are even a few coding jobs available that require only skills and a high-school diploma.

I’d say it is on the same general level as geometry proofs, and valuable for many of the same reasons

I’d say it’s more accessible than proofs for most people (although for me it’s the other way around.)

 

[chevalier]

Coding = Logic + Math + Syntax + Language

I would say the benefits of learning to code would help people learn to reason through an idea. And it can also become a form of artistic expression, a creative outlet.

Yes. I did unwittingly process maths more advanced that whatever was being taught at school (that latter I hated), but I primarily took a linguist’s approach. It was just another language, kind of. It did enhance my language competence, which I can now say having been a professional linguist for a couple of years. I’d been an ambulance chaser before, and drafting contracts, rules, policies etc. is just like coding, with functions, arguments, procedures and loops and all.

Word of caution, though. It can become addictive. I have some sort of light withdrawal symptoms from not coding in my adult life, when it had been such a large part of my growing up. I sometimes do PHP, but that’s very clearly not enough. Oh well, as a child you gotta try things to see what you like, what you’re good at. Chances are you’ll be doing different things in adult life.