Earlier quoted context omitted.
He should have made ESPN post it. Everyone would be so confused.
Since ESPN considers poker to be a sport there's the remote change they may someday have live competitive coding.
Core wars, anyone?
NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code
71–80 of 93 posts
Re: NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code
#72Earlier quoted context omitted.
I have the basics up on GitHub at https://github.com/madisonpdx . I also plan to teach them how to use Git, but while version control is important, it didn't seem like the most exciting thing to begin with. I have been directing the students to the GitHub page though to get them comfortable with the idea of browsing open source code and possibly looking for other projects that interest them.
Wow! What age range are these pupils? Is your wife planning to describe this club and its impact on the general motivation and development of the pupils to her school governors and local professional development forums?
They range in age from 14-17. One of the challenges I am trying to tackle is finding ways to keep everyone engaged even though they have a pretty wide array of skill levels. I've found that while none of the students have extensive programming training, the older ones have picked up a little bit here or there while the younger ones are more users of technology and don't really know anything about programming.
My wife is part of an initiative at her school to bring technology into the classroom, so there is already some awareness of this program within the school administration. Right now I'm totally focused on working with the kids that took the initiative to join the club, but who knows, maybe it can be developed into a program that could reach a larger audience within the school.
Re: NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code
#73Earlier quoted context omitted.
I recently decided to stop talking about teaching kids to code, and actually do it. I don't plan to quite my job as a developer to become a full time teacher, so instead I started an after school program. This was made a lot easier because my wife is a high school teacher. We started a technology club at her high school with the dual goals of showing kids really interesting things that can be done with technology as…
I became interested in computers in part because of a middle school teacher's similar weekly after-school program (TRS-80s!!). Thank you very much for improving these kids lives.
Thanks for the kind words! I was had the good fortune of having a father who was a software developer which is what made me aware of the field in general. But writing programs in BASIC on my TI-83 graphing calculator was what really spurred my interest in programming, and just making things in general. I just hope I can pass that excitement on to a younger generation.
Re: NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code
#74Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
Coding is nothing like literacy. You don't have to be able to code in order to live in a modern society but you have to be able to read and write. There is no, or very little, point for the majority of people to learn how to code.
It is like the new literacy; in that it allows people to participate in society at a level they would not otherwise be able to. More precisely, it's the new numeracy; in that it gives a serious advantage in many fields to be able to deal with tasks and entities in a quantitative manner.
At present there are many areas where it is still possible to "get by" without at least a basic understanding of computing. But those days are drawing to a close; most new manufacturing jobs require basic coding skills because all of the work is happening on CNC mills. It may be possible to be a real estate agent without knowing more about digital technology than how to look things up on an ipad; but even in that field people who know and understand the limitations and capabilities of the data management systems they deal with have a serious and undeniable advantage.
Will the jobs of the future be built around coding? No more than the jobs of the present are built around reading. It will be an essential skill that one is expected to have as a matter of course.
Re: NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code
#75Finding it hard to continue to dislike Bosh.
Miami Heat though
I find it interesting people rag on sportspeople when they seem to care about money too much, yet when guys give up money to have a better chance at a championship, somehow that's wrong as well.
It's like because Cleveland happened to be shitty the year before the draft, they deserve Lebron James' eternal servitude.
Re: NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code
#76This 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 might agree with you if the article wasn't posted on Wired.
Wired is a pop sci magazine with a much broader audience than HN.
Re: NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code
#77Earlier quoted context omitted.
I recently decided to stop talking about teaching kids to code, and actually do it. I don't plan to quite my job as a developer to become a full time teacher, so instead I started an after school program. This was made a lot easier because my wife is a high school teacher. We started a technology club at her high school with the dual goals of showing kids really interesting things that can be done with technology as…
I really love what you did there and am wondering if you mind sharing some ideas on how to go about starting an initiative like this? How do you explain computer science concepts to students - things like classes, variables, etc? In essence, I would love to know more :)
Honestly, I don't really know. I've been trying to figure this out over the past couple of weeks and am starting to think that the answer to how to teach some of those things is not to (or at least not from the start). When I look at all the knowledge I have built up over the past 10-15 years, it's kind of overwhelming to attempt to identify a place to start. But when I think about how I got started programming, it was much more organic. I saw little bits of code around the web that did something that interested me, and then I just played with it to see if I could get it to do something slightly different. In the process I certainly learned about things like variables, logical constructs, loops, etc., but it wasn't until later years (and after firmly solidifying my interest) that I started a more formalized education in computer science.
Most of the students are very interested in writing mobile apps. While I would love to jump right into that, I don't know if we would get very far in one hour a week. So currently I'm just trying to provide some "exercises" that let them get their hands dirty with programming and maybe lead them in the right direction towards the type of programs that they are interested in writing. Then on their own time they can pursue things further, and I'm always available to answer questions or help solve problems they run into.
What are your thoughts on this?
Re: NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code
#78Interesting to hear he was even picked on. I've liked Bosh because of his photo bombs. Now a better reason to like him.
I had to look up the photo bomb thing, and found this:
http://teamcoco.com/video/chris-bosh-photobomb
It's refreshing when pro athletes in the U.S. can engage in an interview and come off as classy and intelligent.
Re: NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code
#79Re: NBA Superstar Chris Bosh: Here’s Why You Should Learn to Code
#80Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
Coding is nothing like literacy. You don't have to be able to code in order to live in a modern society but you have to be able to read and write. There is no, or very little, point for the majority of people to learn how to code.
Well, then I guess the article is indeed for you.
The point is exactly to make coding the new literacy. Not coding as in "we should train every kid to become a software developer one day", but coding as in understanding how machines work, how you can break a bigger complex problem into smaller chunks, and how you can think analytically and use technology to solve problems and make new things.
The learn to code part is just the journey, the instrument that will (hopefully) lead the newer generations to a better future. In that sense, it's just like literacy. It's not just about the words; it's about unlocking new worlds through reading.