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My kid had a "computer science" class in 9th grade. They covered bits and bytes, discussed what files are, and then talked in the abstract about data compressio
by phkahler 5y ago
My kid had a "computer science" class in 9th grade. They covered bits and bytes, discussed what files are, and then talked in the abstract about data compression so they know at a basic level why a wave file is so much bigger than mp3. They did get to some coding, but they covered a lot of basics that form the trunk of the tree. Most adults don't understand things in that way.
It's like teaching biology so people have a rudimentary idea of viruses and don't think vaccines have 5g tracking. Or so teenagers understand reproduction and don't think ridiculous things about how one gets pregnant.
Or how about chemistry, so people understand why con-trails form.
Basic understanding of things - particularly the ones everyone uses daily - is a good thing.
- duxup 5y agoYeah I’m the type that needs to make things. Theory makes no sense to me if i don’t see it in action. I struggled in a traditional theory / coding educational environment and dropped out of college. Decades later I learned coding in a more hands on / make things way and I’m having fun working my way “backwards” into theory.
- gunfighthacksaw 5y agoYou learn theory 10x more easily when it’s actually working for you. I think there’s a case for needing explicit instruction in mathematics and algorithms, but it only becomes intuitive when you’re solving your own problem with it. Remember that Gauss didn’t just sit around inventing theories, he was trying to explain the world around him and his theories were the product of that.