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NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code

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Re: NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code

#31

Post by xradionut »

AznHisoka wrote: post #15

Nice.. except most professional sports players should spent as little time in front of the computer as possible. Carpal tunnel syndrome is something you don't want someone you're paying $100 million to have when he's out in the court, or in the mound.

How many professional sports players have you actually met? Most don't have or take the time to code/type enough to get carpal tunnel. At worst they may have video gaming related issues, but most contracts have clauses regarding such activities and issues.

Also weight lifting and other physical training helps alleviate carpal tunnel for programmers.

Re: NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code

#34

Post by ix_ »

ChikkaChiChi wrote: post #6

This article was not written for you or I. This is an attempt by Chris Bosh to make the world of technology accessible to those who wouldn't normal consider it a career path. I feel that his attempt is successful.

I think his message goes further than that. Coding is like a new literacy. It's application isn't just in creating software, but getting things done in a digital age.

Re: NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code

#35

Post by tsumnia »

the_watcher wrote: post #18

"If someone in school would have explained to me that coding could reach millions directly or indirectly and make their lives better, it would’ve sparked my interest much sooner." - completely agree, programming was not introduced to me correctly until after college. Even if public schools don't have the resources to hire a teacher who is, by training, a programmer, there is no reason why students can't be exposed to…

"...where the final was just making a PowerPoint, and half the class just played Oregon Trail during."

I honestly think this is the biggest issue and the main motivator for teaching coding. The issue is our computer courses are designed to be 'How to Learn Microsoft Office on Microsoft Windows', any deviation from THAT curriculum already punishes the student. Then, its re-enforced by repitive 'this is how you bold' work. Every computer teacher says they throw in some extra 'real' work, but why can't THAT be what they're learning.

A quick Google search shows this is the Intro to Computers description: "This course introduces computer concepts, including fundamental functions and operations of the computer. Topics include identification of hardware components, basic computer operations, security issues, and use of software applications. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of computers and use the computer to solve problems."

Somehow this has become MS Office. Graphic art courses don't teach 'Photoshop', they teach you art using Photoshop. I feel the issue is many Intro to Computer courses are taught the opposite.

Re: NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code

#36

Post by eropple »

vaadu wrote: post #32

Superstar? Please. He's a good player but hardly more than that. http://www.cbssports.com/nba/stats

Bosh is the third option on a repeat-champion team with a generational player and...well, an overrated old guy. The media exposure from that alone is superstar-level, even if a lot of it comes from "he looks like a velociraptor" memes.

"Good player" is probably underrating him, too. I've interviewed around regarding advanced-stats positions with the NBA and the consensus among people I've talked to is that Bosh (who comes up a lot because he's sort of the "smart NBA player" poster child, non-Battier division) would put up titanic numbers on almost any other team. Watch Al Jefferson in Charlotte this year--Bosh doesn't have the post game Big Al does (but is still probably top-10 in the league), but can shoot from mid-range, make plays for others, and play defense both on the man and in help situations.

Re: NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code

#37

Post by the_watcher »

frogpelt wrote: post #24
the_watcher wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Going back to the accounting/personal finance piece, I did a year of law school, and it was absolutely stunning how many of my classmates had no idea what compound interest was (more insane given that most of them were debt funding their education with high interest, non-dischargeable loans that now compound immediately upon taking them out), or that opportunity cost was something they should have considered when eva…

It is the parents' job to make sure their child is being educated. If the school is doing a poor job, the parent should switch schools or supplement the education at home. I say this because I think people used more common sense about money 100 years ago. They likely learned it at home, not at school.

>> I say this because I think people used more common sense about money 100 years ago. They likely learned it at home, not at school.

This is true, but 100 years ago, compulsory public education until ~age 18 was much less common, people simply had less money, and credit was not ubiquitous the way it is now. I agree parents need to take responsibility for filling in the gaps of school, but that doesn't mean you can't also advocate for the schools filling those gaps themselves.

Re: NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code

#38

Post by the_watcher »

Bsharp wrote: post #25
the_watcher wrote: post #18

"If someone in school would have explained to me that coding could reach millions directly or indirectly and make their lives better, it would’ve sparked my interest much sooner." - completely agree, programming was not introduced to me correctly until after college. Even if public schools don't have the resources to hire a teacher who is, by training, a programmer, there is no reason why students can't be exposed to…

That's a response I use whenever people tell me compulsory schooling as it exists now is essential so kids can function in the real world. You learn little-to-no real-world skills in a basic K-12 (US) curriculum. If you'll let me put my tin foil hat on, I would say its possible that personal finance isn't taught deliberately - banks want people to be worse at money and debt management so they can make more money off…

>> I would say its possible that personal finance isn't taught deliberately - banks want people to be worse at money and debt management so they can make more money off them

Public education seems to me to be one of the few sectors that big banks exert little to no influence on. The main problem is cyclical, many teachers and administrators never got this training, and so aren't well equipped to teach and advocate for it. Much of education curriculum setting (in terms of what classes to teach) is driven by union demand, so a lack of accounting/finance teachers leads to less advocacy, while a surplus of visual arts and music teachers leads to substantial demand for those classes.

Re: NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code

#39

Post by the_watcher »

eropple wrote: post #36
vaadu wrote: post #32

Superstar? Please. He's a good player but hardly more than that. http://www.cbssports.com/nba/stats

Bosh is the third option on a repeat-champion team with a generational player and...well, an overrated old guy. The media exposure from that alone is superstar-level, even if a lot of it comes from "he looks like a velociraptor" memes. "Good player" is probably underrating him, too. I've interviewed around regarding advanced-stats positions with the NBA and the consensus among people I've talked to is that Bosh (who…

Bosh did put up Titanic numbers as a number one option on the Raptors, and is a fixture on Team USA. "Superstar" may be a slight overstatement, but given the overapplication of that term to "any famous athlete," I don't think it's worth quibbling with.

Re: NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code

#40

Post by bluedino »

tsumnia wrote: post #35
the_watcher wrote: post #18

"If someone in school would have explained to me that coding could reach millions directly or indirectly and make their lives better, it would’ve sparked my interest much sooner." - completely agree, programming was not introduced to me correctly until after college. Even if public schools don't have the resources to hire a teacher who is, by training, a programmer, there is no reason why students can't be exposed to…

"...where the final was just making a PowerPoint, and half the class just played Oregon Trail during." I honestly think this is the biggest issue and the main motivator for teaching coding. The issue is our computer courses are designed to be 'How to Learn Microsoft Office on Microsoft Windows', any deviation from THAT curriculum already punishes the student. Then, its re-enforced by repitive 'this is how you bold' w…

>> Then, its re-enforced by repitive 'this is how you bold' work

I remember 10th grade computer class. We got a printed piece of paper, you had to center, bold, and italicize things. Anyone who had used a computer to type a paper before completed it in about 5 minutes while the rest of the class struggled.

>> Every computer teacher says they throw in some extra 'real' work, but why can't THAT be what they're learning.

Same teacher tried an HTML assignment later that semester. Center, bold, italicize somethings and place an image, make a link. Almost none of the kids finished it, and the 2-3 who knew HTML completed it in 5 minutes.

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