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I don't believe computer programing is a good way to teach logical thinking. Sociology, Philosophy and Literature are better alternatives. Coding only makes yo

by fsniper 14y ago

I don't believe computer programing is a good way to teach logical thinking. Sociology, Philosophy and Literature are better alternatives. Coding only makes you better micro managers, "thinking of efficient ways to make idiots do things you like". Also teaching agriculture or other physical goods producing craftsmanship to kids would make them better at real world challenges. Modern society seems to be run by digital arts but it's just an illusion of how we live.

gambiting 14y ago
"Sociology, Philosophy and Literature are better alternatives." Yes,but not for kids. You won't teach any of these subjects to kids, even if they are better for logical thinking. But if you show them an interesting way to start programming,they will see a very clear connection between what is being said and what happens = logic. Then it can be extended later in life, but this article specifically targets kids. And I have the exact opposite view to yours - I think there is not enough logic in our lives. Our society might be addicted to digital works, but it does not mean they understand how it all works.
- coldtea 14y ago
  >Yes,but not for kids. You won't teach any of these subjects to kids Really? Why? We have been doing it for millenia.
  - gambiting 14y ago
    No. We make kids at school read countless books, and trying to convey to them the meaning that's inside these books. Most kids don't care though, because I really don't think that you can read some of mature works at the age of 14 and understand the deep philosophical context inside them, even if your teacher serves it to you on a silver plate. It's not to say that kids are stupid - far from it. My point is, that literally throwing literature and philosophical dilemmas at kids it not going to achieve much. Sure, we've been doing it for millenia - but it does not automatically make it right.
rorrr 14y ago
> I don't believe computer programing is a good way to teach logical thinking. Sociology, Philosophy and Literature are better alternatives That makes no sense. I've taken literature, I've read hundreds of books on my own. Most of them are full of illogical things. At best they are OK to teach morals, not logic. Philosophy is closer. Computer programming is pretty much pure logic and problem solving. The only better way to teach logic is to teach logic. > teaching agriculture or other physical goods producing craftsmanship to kids would make them better at real world challenges Computers and code are real world, and they solve real world challenges.
- adestefan 14y ago
  I'm not sure why people think programming us the pinnacle of problem solving. Just about any trade involves just as much logical thinking and problem solving.
  - rorrr 14y ago
    Really? Any trade? Car salesmen are sitting and solving logical problems? Programming is very close to logic. Of course, there are other fields that require logic and problem solving. Engineering, science, for instance.
    - adestefan 14y ago
      I'm talking about what are commonly called the skilled trades [0]. Some of the most analytical thinkers I know were trained in a trade. Masons and cabinet makers that have an intuitive understanding of geometry and trigonometry that most people just don't grasp. I learned most of my problem solving skills from my father who was trained as an industrial electrician. Spend a day on a job site and you'll hear the same things you hear programmers bitching about. Most people complain about the engineers and architects not understanding how the real world works just like programmers always bitch about software architects. It's a real shame that most people seem to look down on the trades as somehow being inferior to white collar work. This is what Mike Rowe has been preaching about for the past 4 or 5 years. Just listen to his TED talk [1]. [0] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tradesmen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tradesmen [1] http://www.ted.com/talks/mike_rowe_celebrates_dirty_jobs.html http://www.ted.com/talks/mike_rowe_celebrates_dirty_jobs.htm...

by fsniper 14y ago

gambiting 14y ago

"Sociology, Philosophy and Literature are better alternatives." Yes,but not for kids. You won't teach any of these subjects to kids, even if they are better for logical thinking. But if you show them an interesting way to start programming,they will see a very clear connection between what is being said and what happens = logic. Then it can be extended later in life, but this article specifically targets kids. And I have the exact opposite view to yours - I think there is not enough logic in our lives. Our society might be addicted to digital works, but it does not mean they understand how it all works.

coldtea 14y ago
>Yes,but not for kids. You won't teach any of these subjects to kids Really? Why? We have been doing it for millenia.
- gambiting 14y ago
  No. We make kids at school read countless books, and trying to convey to them the meaning that's inside these books. Most kids don't care though, because I really don't think that you can read some of mature works at the age of 14 and understand the deep philosophical context inside them, even if your teacher serves it to you on a silver plate. It's not to say that kids are stupid - far from it. My point is, that literally throwing literature and philosophical dilemmas at kids it not going to achieve much. Sure, we've been doing it for millenia - but it does not automatically make it right.

rorrr 14y ago

> I don't believe computer programing is a good way to teach logical thinking. Sociology, Philosophy and Literature are better alternatives That makes no sense. I've taken literature, I've read hundreds of books on my own. Most of them are full of illogical things. At best they are OK to teach morals, not logic. Philosophy is closer. Computer programming is pretty much pure logic and problem solving. The only better way to teach logic is to teach logic. > teaching agriculture or other physical goods producing craftsmanship to kids would make them better at real world challenges Computers and code are real world, and they solve real world challenges.

adestefan 14y ago
I'm not sure why people think programming us the pinnacle of problem solving. Just about any trade involves just as much logical thinking and problem solving.
- rorrr 14y ago
  Really? Any trade? Car salesmen are sitting and solving logical problems? Programming is very close to logic. Of course, there are other fields that require logic and problem solving. Engineering, science, for instance.
  - adestefan 14y ago
    I'm talking about what are commonly called the skilled trades [0]. Some of the most analytical thinkers I know were trained in a trade. Masons and cabinet makers that have an intuitive understanding of geometry and trigonometry that most people just don't grasp. I learned most of my problem solving skills from my father who was trained as an industrial electrician. Spend a day on a job site and you'll hear the same things you hear programmers bitching about. Most people complain about the engineers and architects not understanding how the real world works just like programmers always bitch about software architects. It's a real shame that most people seem to look down on the trades as somehow being inferior to white collar work. This is what Mike Rowe has been preaching about for the past 4 or 5 years. Just listen to his TED talk [1]. [0] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tradesmen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tradesmen [1] http://www.ted.com/talks/mike_rowe_celebrates_dirty_jobs.html http://www.ted.com/talks/mike_rowe_celebrates_dirty_jobs.htm...