4 ms·

I don't think teaching computer programming in public schools is silly and I hope I didn't imply that in my comment. And now imagine how exactly coding would b

by minimax 13y ago

I don't think teaching computer programming in public schools is silly and I hope I didn't imply that in my comment. And now imagine how exactly coding would be taught in the same schools in which 25% of 12th graders do not pass "basic reading" test. One approach to teaching a new subject might be to forget about the bottom 25% and the top 25% and focus on building up skills for the 50% in middle (2nd and 3rd quartile). If you can get a foothold there you can begin to expand at the margins.

smsm42 13y ago
>>> I don't think teaching computer programming in public schools is silly No, and neither do I. I, however, think that having the federal government to prescribe what to teach in schools through legislation is silly. Especially if it is done the way everything else is done in public education system, which breeds unintended consequences and is not exactly rigged for pupil's benefit. >> One approach to teaching a new subject might be to forget about the bottom 25% You must have never heard anything about US public education system if you think something like that would ever be palatable. Does "No child left behind" ring a bell? But the honorable congressmen know what rings the bell: Along with redefining computer programming as a critical foreign language, the 416d65726963612043616e20436f646520 Act would create a competitive matching grant program for schools, particularly those in low-income areas, to create new ways to teach computer science and engineering, in tandem with universities and non-profits. "Particularly those in low-income areas" are those that are bottom 25%. And dumping federal money on them and saying "now teach kids to be best programmers ever!" is doubtful to produce the results you would wish to see.
nitrogen 13y ago
As you say, the fact that a program won't benefit 100% of students shouldn't count against the program. That said, do you have any thoughts on preventing top quartile students from becoming bored with middle-half education and turning into bottom quartile students?

by minimax 13y ago

smsm42 13y ago

>>> I don't think teaching computer programming in public schools is silly No, and neither do I. I, however, think that having the federal government to prescribe what to teach in schools through legislation is silly. Especially if it is done the way everything else is done in public education system, which breeds unintended consequences and is not exactly rigged for pupil's benefit. >> One approach to teaching a new subject might be to forget about the bottom 25% You must have never heard anything about US public education system if you think something like that would ever be palatable. Does "No child left behind" ring a bell? But the honorable congressmen know what rings the bell: Along with redefining computer programming as a critical foreign language, the 416d65726963612043616e20436f646520 Act would create a competitive matching grant program for schools, particularly those in low-income areas, to create new ways to teach computer science and engineering, in tandem with universities and non-profits. "Particularly those in low-income areas" are those that are bottom 25%. And dumping federal money on them and saying "now teach kids to be best programmers ever!" is doubtful to produce the results you would wish to see.

nitrogen 13y ago

As you say, the fact that a program won't benefit 100% of students shouldn't count against the program. That said, do you have any thoughts on preventing top quartile students from becoming bored with middle-half education and turning into bottom quartile students?