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I won't become a plumber, but I will learn the basics of switching out the flush valve when my current one is ever so slightly leaking gallons and gallons of wa
by elliottcarlson 14y ago
I won't become a plumber, but I will learn the basics of switching out the flush valve when my current one is ever so slightly leaking gallons and gallons of water. Anything bigger and I'll call a plumber. I also won't become an electrician, but I know how to shut the breakers off so I can replace a light fixture on my own as well. There is a benefit in having some knowledge not only because it can help you in your day to day lives, but also you get a greater knowledge of what it would take for you to need to have an expert involved.
I take issue with the list of reasons when someone should probably look else where; for the most part I think that the deterrent of the results from attempting any of those will weed people out naturally - perhaps except for the one looking for a quick buck. The one I have the biggest problem with is: Coding because you played a computer game once and want to make the next Assassin’s Creed in a few days of work
My niece wanted to learn how to make a game - she was 9. She thinks math, and reading are "sciencey" (apparently the next generations term for nerdy). I got her set up with a simple click and drag game builder that offers adding logic in a kid friendly way. She started on it, got frustrated, asked me for help and then continued. She still works on her game almost a year and a half later. It's not her primary passion, and she won't probably won't become a programmer - but it's a great teaching aide, and the knowledge of what it takes to build something makes her appreciate the big name games she plays on her various consoles.
I believe learning to code can open more peoples eyes to the possibilities out there. Just because classes are available, or perhaps even mandatory in school, doesn't mean that everyone taking those classes will become engineers by trade.
- dinkumthinkum 14y agoI think there's a clear argument for computer literacy. That's a given. But programming, I think that is a very separate issue. The code fever movement is just a bit out there. It's one thing to say it's good to learn to code. It's another thing to say "everyone needs to code" or "we should make a curriculum about programming because we use software."
- Martyr2 14y ago+1 - I think you have gotten the gist of my article. Believe me when I say that I really do want to see more programmers out there cranking out great software. I don't want to see a bunch of people with enough coding knowledge to build a program, throw it into production without having any knowledge of why the program works. An extreme example would be teaching everyone how to use guns because the future is going to be full of gun violence. Leave guns to those who are trained to carry and use them appropriately.