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I keep hearing that schools are teaching 'computational thought' and programming, but then I also hear that kids can't do math at anywhere near the expected lev

I keep hearing that schools are teaching 'computational thought' and programming, but then I also hear that kids can't do math at anywhere near the expected level, can't read at their expected level, and have zero attention span. Either someone is lying or very wrong.

paduc 3y ago
They’re probably different kids we’re talking about. My personal perception is that the gap of basic reading/math skills between the top 10% and the bottom 90% is widening. Why ? I’d say parental (real, no phone) presence in the kids life / education.
- talldatethrow 3y ago
  For sure the top kids are doing alright, and sure those kids are taking some programming as well. I suppose they should just modify most articles by saying 'Top students' and stop implying that the school system that can't teach kids how to subtract fractions is going to teach programming as well to the average kid.
- majani 3y ago
  I'd say the modern obsession with dating your equal is having the unintended consequence of creating an academic elite
  - bossyTeacher 3y ago
    Did people back in the days date people that were far below their social group (economic and education wise)? I highly doubt it
    - talldatethrow 3y ago
      You're right that it's not new. But now that women are getting tons of degrees for degrees sake, without even taking into account the school, it's creating pressure on men to do the same. I have an BS in Mechanical Engineering from Berkeley, and I've had women from no name schools with a masters in marketing try to talk down my education.
SirensOfTitan 3y ago
Anecdata but a lot of kids and young adults around me also seemingly struggle with use of a full computing environment; they’re much more used to something like iPad OS. I don’t really buy that the next generation is going to be more computer literate, I’ve been hearing that meme for a long time now and I just don’t see it.
- _ktnd 3y ago
  My 17-year-old "zoomer" sister is unsure about what a browser is. She believes you need a Google app to access the internet. My millennial sisters aren't very proficient with computers. They mostly use Office and a browser. Things like VPNs might confuse them. Are my sisters a rare exception? Who knows? I know other female and male millennials with non-software developer jobs who barely know how to use a computer. Yep, I tried to persuade my "zoomer" sister to learn how to program, but she declined. :( She is simply not interested.

paduc 3y ago

They’re probably different kids we’re talking about. My personal perception is that the gap of basic reading/math skills between the top 10% and the bottom 90% is widening. Why ? I’d say parental (real, no phone) presence in the kids life / education.

talldatethrow 3y ago
For sure the top kids are doing alright, and sure those kids are taking some programming as well. I suppose they should just modify most articles by saying 'Top students' and stop implying that the school system that can't teach kids how to subtract fractions is going to teach programming as well to the average kid.
majani 3y ago
I'd say the modern obsession with dating your equal is having the unintended consequence of creating an academic elite
- bossyTeacher 3y ago
  Did people back in the days date people that were far below their social group (economic and education wise)? I highly doubt it
  - talldatethrow 3y ago
    You're right that it's not new. But now that women are getting tons of degrees for degrees sake, without even taking into account the school, it's creating pressure on men to do the same. I have an BS in Mechanical Engineering from Berkeley, and I've had women from no name schools with a masters in marketing try to talk down my education.

SirensOfTitan 3y ago

Anecdata but a lot of kids and young adults around me also seemingly struggle with use of a full computing environment; they’re much more used to something like iPad OS. I don’t really buy that the next generation is going to be more computer literate, I’ve been hearing that meme for a long time now and I just don’t see it.

_ktnd 3y ago
My 17-year-old "zoomer" sister is unsure about what a browser is. She believes you need a Google app to access the internet. My millennial sisters aren't very proficient with computers. They mostly use Office and a browser. Things like VPNs might confuse them. Are my sisters a rare exception? Who knows? I know other female and male millennials with non-software developer jobs who barely know how to use a computer. Yep, I tried to persuade my "zoomer" sister to learn how to program, but she declined. :( She is simply not interested.