3 ms·

California and the SF Bay Area decline to accept money to teach coding to kids

3 points by webhat 12y ago

PaulHoule 12y ago
As a home schooler it is shocking to me how technology is systematically devalued by the official curriculum, and I don't mean just "computers and stuff" but things like how to sew a garmet or grow meat animals or how to wire up an electric outlet.
- mschuster91 12y ago
  Well, "wiring up an electric outlet" is better left to the professionals, same for dealing with water, gas and fuel pipeworks. These things are just too dangerous. Imagine you choose the wrong piping material (some metals will corrode when coming in contact), you leave your house for holidays and when you come back, your entire basement is under water.
dragonwriter 12y ago
Of course, if you read the article, the headline is misleading: 1) California wasn't being offered free money, it was being lobbied to let computer science substitute for existing math and/or science requirements, and 2) San Francisco and Oakland are both in discussion with Code.org but haven't adopted their program for the coming year, looking at doing it later -- we don't know the details in SF because the short-notice call for comments wasn't returned, but in Oakland's case its at least in part because they already have grants for teaching code to kids from other private entities involved in a different program with overlapping objectives to Code.org.
pm24601 12y ago
... and its a good thing. Seriously. "Coding" is a skill that can be learned later, after (this is some of the things that my kids are learning): 1. math (algebra and better) 2. reading comprehension 3. writing both persuasively and clearly 4. science ( physical sciences ) 5. leadership courses 6. foreign language 7. basic computer as a tool ( how to google, type, create presentations) The fundamental problems with this demand for kids to learn how to code right now: 1. What are they not going to learn (it is a zero-sum game) 2. Technology is expensive to maintain Sure offer it in high school. But K-5, my kids and the other kids in their class are not that interested in computers (except to play on). There are other skills that are way, way more important at that age.

3 points by webhat 12y ago

As a home schooler it is shocking to me how technology is systematically devalued by the official curriculum, and I don't mean just "computers and stuff" but things like how to sew a garmet or grow meat animals or how to wire up an electric outlet.

mschuster91 12y ago
Well, "wiring up an electric outlet" is better left to the professionals, same for dealing with water, gas and fuel pipeworks. These things are just too dangerous. Imagine you choose the wrong piping material (some metals will corrode when coming in contact), you leave your house for holidays and when you come back, your entire basement is under water.

dragonwriter 12y ago

Of course, if you read the article, the headline is misleading: 1) California wasn't being offered free money, it was being lobbied to let computer science substitute for existing math and/or science requirements, and 2) San Francisco and Oakland are both in discussion with Code.org but haven't adopted their program for the coming year, looking at doing it later -- we don't know the details in SF because the short-notice call for comments wasn't returned, but in Oakland's case its at least in part because they already have grants for teaching code to kids from other private entities involved in a different program with overlapping objectives to Code.org.

pm24601 12y ago

... and its a good thing. Seriously. "Coding" is a skill that can be learned later, after (this is some of the things that my kids are learning): 1. math (algebra and better) 2. reading comprehension 3. writing both persuasively and clearly 4. science ( physical sciences ) 5. leadership courses 6. foreign language 7. basic computer as a tool ( how to google, type, create presentations) The fundamental problems with this demand for kids to learn how to code right now: 1. What are they not going to learn (it is a zero-sum game) 2. Technology is expensive to maintain Sure offer it in high school. But K-5, my kids and the other kids in their class are not that interested in computers (except to play on). There are other skills that are way, way more important at that age.