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President Obama calls on every American to learn code

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Re: President Obama calls on every American to learn code

#261

Post by chaz »

grellas wrote: post #217

Speaking as a non-coder, but as one who did minimal things with programming-like higher-level stuff ranging from the old DOS batch files to VBA and some dabbling with SQL, I am curious whether real engineers believe the idea of broad literacy in coding truly would be valuable and, if so, how exactly. I am not speaking as a skeptic, just as one who does not readily see the point and wants to know. Of course, we are in…

I think the value of learning to code is learning how to break down complex problems into simpler steps, determining the order in which those steps need to happen, and thinking carefully about your upfront needs to get some the desired, distant result. Coding isn't the only place to learn these skills. For example, working in a commercial kitchen, you might learn these skills quickly: what do I need to do make this dish? What ingredients are each dish's element? What ingredients do I have on hand vs what I need to order? Is everything going to come together in the end, and at the same time?

However, coding is increasingly accessible (~$0) to everyone (all ages/geos) at a massive scale (smartphones/netbooks) and may have practical benefits for some people who choose to go beyond the basic steps. Some might even call it fun.

Re: President Obama calls on every American to learn code

#262

Post by gaplus »

dinkumthinkum wrote: post #249
gaplus wrote: post #232

Learning anything new is all well and good, but the thing that's actually valuable to society and "america's future" isn't really more coders, it's people who are really fantastic at what they do; whatever it may be. I'd rather someone dedicate their life to becoming the best preserve-maker in the world than fixing bugs in groupon. The preserve-maker may not reach billions of people with his/her work, but based on my…

But you're just saying "be the best you can be rah rah." That's nice but not very interesting or actionable. Why even bother saying it?

hmm I suppose it seems obvious to some people, but I've met a number of people trying to become programmers for reasons that won't get them very far. Just my two cents.

Re: President Obama calls on every American to learn code

#263

Post by dinkumthinkum »

eru wrote: post #43
kamjam wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree. How many of those making laws right now know anything about technology let alone how to code? So why does Joe Public specifically need to know how to code? It would be much better to teach people math and proper grammar, that would get them much further in life.

What do you mean by proper grammar? Stuff like using "you and me" correctly and not falling into the "you and I" prestige English trap? People acquire proper grammar naturally with their native language.

Do you really think the parent is talking about "nit-picky" stuff such as that ... Are you aware of no grammar problem anywhere in the US??? Really? You would have to be pretty sheltered for that to be the case.

Re: President Obama calls on every American to learn code

#264

Post by mrschwabe »

brandonbloom wrote: post #51
thearn4 wrote: post #9

Wow. Looks like Youtube comments haven't improved much after all. Seriously, it seems like half of the comments seen on Youtube (or at the bottom of any article on a news site) read as if they could have come right from a post on StormFront.

Disclaimer: I'm a major contributor to Code.org's own tutorials. Most of the comments here on HN are similarly shameful. How can free, high quality educational materials, and lobbying to improve access to computer science education possibly be a bad thing? I've talked to a ton of educators and technologists and they are nothing but excited, then I come here, and it's cynics and conspiracy theories.

Shameful? And the president himself is not shameful? We are witnessing the biggest information scandal in the history of mankind ie- 'Snowden revelations' - and it all happened under his watch.

Re: President Obama calls on every American to learn code

#265

Post by rolux »

jzwinck wrote: post #256
blktiger wrote: post #235

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I suspect it has more to do with problem-solving and analysis. In theory students should gain this kind of knowledge from mathematics, but I don't think that seems to work out in reality for most people.

Most people won't acquire great problem solving skills with programming either. You need only look at a few new questions on StackOverflow to see that. I think your parent is onto something though, that the unique skill available by basic programming in symbolic logic, and perhaps logic in general. It won't come to everyone, but without programming it may be even less likely. The problem of course is that it takes pa…

I don't think it's about skill as such, rather about increased productivity.

People are generally expected to be able to drive, and for many, this ability comes with benefits. I don't see why basic programming (file system, lists, loops, conditionals) should be any harder, or less useful.

Re: President Obama calls on every American to learn code

#266

Post by dinkumthinkum »

ommunist wrote: post #175

We've seen that before when in 90-ies everybody tried to learn some Visual Basic and later some Java. Maybe I am wrong, but programming require quite a systematic effort in knowledge acquisition, lots of practice and a good mentor. I also think community is not a substitute for mentorship, well it is a superset of it one may say, nevertheless. When a politician asks everyne to learn how to code, I assume it is alread…

The programming revolution of the 90s? I think that was just in your head. Just being honest.

Re: President Obama calls on every American to learn code

#267

Post by pearjuice »

brandonbloom wrote: post #242
pearjuice wrote: post #60

>Starring Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, will.i.am, Chris Bosh, Jack Dorsey, Tony Hsieh, Drew Houston, Gabe Newell, Ruchi Sanghvi, Elena Silenok, Vanessa Hurst, and Hadi Partovi. Directed by Lesley Chilcott, executive producers Hadi and Ali Partovi. >Code.org owes special thanks to all the cast and the film crew, and also Microsoft, Google/YouTube, Facebook, Amazon, and Twitter for helping us spread the word What the f…

> What the fuck is this shit? They really pumped billions in marketing!? I work for Code.org. "Billions" couldn't be any further from the truth. We operate on a shoestring. Everybody in these videos participated because they care about education, not because we paid them.

Yes, you work for Code.org but I doubt if the president is involved you get the fine numbers.

Re: President Obama calls on every American to learn code

#268

Post by dinkumthinkum »

heezo wrote: post #139

As a black American, I wish that I were suprised at some of the comments in the video.

Well I think we're about ready to get some pretty Bell Curve nonsense going here soon.

Also, you may be interested in comparing the responses here to Obama's video here and HN responses to similar videos (like the Bill Gates ad).

Re: President Obama calls on every American to learn code

#269

Post by shmerl »

grellas wrote: post #217

Speaking as a non-coder, but as one who did minimal things with programming-like higher-level stuff ranging from the old DOS batch files to VBA and some dabbling with SQL, I am curious whether real engineers believe the idea of broad literacy in coding truly would be valuable and, if so, how exactly. I am not speaking as a skeptic, just as one who does not readily see the point and wants to know. Of course, we are in…

It's not so much about learning to code, as about learning how to solve problems using algorithms. Coding is a natural application of that. It surely is a very useful skill and teaching that in school makes perfect sense.

Re: President Obama calls on every American to learn code

#270

Post by dinkumthinkum »

robomartin wrote: post #192

I'd rather have every American learn how to vote. Far more damage is being done to this country by ignorant voters. Far more benefit could be derived by having an intelligent, well informed voting population. The best way to protect your future and that of your children is to elect representatives that will truly do what's best. The economic implosion of 2008 had nothing to do with not knowing how to code, write, coo…

Which is worse, uneducated people voting, or libertarians? I'm not sure.
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