Essential question: What are the compelling arguments both for and against computer coding in schools?
In reading this week, it was hard to find much of an argument against coding. The main issue I came across was how much coding should be required in schools and how it should be taught? For this second part of how it should be taught I did find an argument by Harel (2015) about the "pop computing" that is popping up everywhere. These are more tutorials and not computer science. Things can be done in hours with some clicks, drops, and drags. This is not the way computer science works and requires little coding if any at all. This may be a good place to start if students have no experience, but we still need to teach more than this. "By promoting “pop computing” apps to kids in schools, we aren’t doing the hard thinking that defines what the subject of computing is today, and most importantly, what it can be in the future...We are doing a disservice to kids by assuming that they can’t grasp industry-standard languages, complex computer science topics, and applications. By limiting them, we undermine their capabilities and stifle their creative and inventive potential."
So why is it so important to teach coding? Here are the reasons according to "3 Reasons Coding Should be a Core Subject" (2015): 1. Programming can be used in many disciplines.
I really like the argument for coding that NPR gave in this post above. They argue for a basic coding literacy for everyone, but argue that we shouldn't require people to delve deeper into something they aren't interested in. In the NPR post Jeff Atwood relates the coding hype to an obsession with becoming and auto mechanic. "There are tons of cars, there's tons of driving ... but I think it's a little crazy to go around saying everyone should really learn to be an auto mechanic because cars are so essential to the functioning of our society. Should you know how to change oil? Absolutely. There are [also] basic things you should know when you use a computer. But this whole 'become an auto mechanic' thing? It's just really not for everyone." So yes coding is good but not everyone in the world needs to be a computer programmer. There are plenty of other jobs.
Sources
3 Reasons Coding Should Be a Core Subject. (2015, September 29). Retrieved June 24, 2016, from http://gettingsmart.com/2015/09/3-reasons-coding-should-be-a-core-subject/ Computers Are The Future, But Does Everyone Need To Code? (2014, January 25). Retrieved June 24, 2016, from http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2014/01/25/266162832/computers-are-the-future-but-does-everyone-need-to-code Harel, I. (2016, May 25). American Schools are Teaching Our Kids How To Code All Wrong. Retrieved June 24, 2016, from http://qz.com/691614/american-schools-are-teaching-our-kids-how-to-code-all-wrong/?utm_content=buffer6e30c Sehringer, G. (n.d.). Should We Really Try to Teach Everyone to Code? Retrieved June 24, 2016, from http://www.wired.com/insights/2015/02/should-we-really-try-to-teach-everyone-to-code/
8 Comments
6/25/2016 09:54:37 am
Interesting NPR news bite about coding. I think one of the things that I think is important about learning to code is that it opens up other opportunities in tech jobs. You could make the same argument about learning to make arts and crafts in elementary school. Are we going to have career artists, painters, photographer, designers, and sculptors? No. But it gives students a fun way to express themselves, and I believe coding does the same thing. And it helps that if students want to learn more, they have the capability and opportunity to do so in the K-12 system. I am one of those teachers that believe there is more to coding than just coding. You learn many other skills and develop positive characteristics.
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Sara Lucas
6/26/2016 04:27:20 pm
I agree I think they are the same. That is just the part we have to remember. We are just showing students what is out there. If they want to learn more then they can probably figure it out. Students go on to higher education when they want to learn more about a particular topic.
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Tricia Turley
6/26/2016 04:14:41 pm
I agree that it is difficult to find much argument against teaching coding. The argument, from my perspective, seemed to be more against whether or not it should be mandatory. Like in the quote you gave about everyone who drives should be able to change their oil, it's important to remember that not everyone even drives, or wants to drive. Making coding a requirement, when some students will not even be interested in using computers, is not a good enough reason to make it a requirement like language arts and math.
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Sara Lucas
6/26/2016 04:30:08 pm
I think it should be required as an intro course so students can experience what coding is about. This way students know it is out there. Plus it can teach some good skills in perseverance and problem solving which can be lacking with current curriculum. But I definitely don't think it should be required each year if a student is not interested.
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Josie Leach
6/26/2016 04:28:49 pm
Sara Lucas,
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Sara Lucas
6/26/2016 04:36:18 pm
I think "pop computing" could be useful to teach in younger grades. This way students would have some exposure to coding and have a better understanding as to what it is about. If students first exposure is in high school then they will have to start with such simple stuff that they will never get very far (the way I feel right now).
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6/26/2016 05:03:35 pm
Sara,
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Daysha
6/27/2016 08:17:06 am
I also thought of the relationship of cars to our lives and learning auto skills! Public education is all about opening up opportunities for students to use to follow their own interests. Since computers are so important to lives it important that students have a general understanding of them.
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