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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

#61
post #25

"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…

> 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.

I'm sorry but I don't believe this argument at all. Unless grade schools are no longer covering reading, basic mathematics, and even basic chemistry and biology I don't think there isn't one skill I learned in school I don't use everyday, except Spanish, I was horrible at that.

Now my university level intro to Architecture, while I appreciate it, is something that I only put to use at cocktail parties.

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

#62

I don't understand why people in the Sports world tend to not like Chris Bosh. Not only does he have a great all-around game but he got passions beyond basketball and is a family man. Keep doing your damn thing Chris Bosh. I'm a fan.

People who want to dislike the Heat's formation can take a quick look at his stats and see that they dropped substantially since Toronto, ignoring that he went from being by far the best player, to the third best player behind two of the best in the world. His rebounding numbers dropped, but he no longer plays down low as much, because LeBron and Wade need space there. They also ignore that he's become nearly as good…

Man, the first paragraph made me think I'm at www.reddit.com/r/nba/

Although I agree with your comments I still think it's an inefficient use of his talents (stepping further outside to make room for LBJ and Wade).

Either way, I'm expecting him to have his best statistical season this year, which may mean he'll become too expensive for the Heat.

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

#65

"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…

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 :)

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

#66

Coding is not for everyone. This concept of spreading coding like some sort of socialist agenda needs to stop.

Yes it's crazy. Take cooking for example. If you can prepare a hearty meal from basic ingredients you will be healthier and wealthier and hence happier than someone who lives on takeaways and ready meals. And schools can't even teach that! If you can do first aid, you can look after your family and maybe save a life - and schools don't teach that! If you can sew, if you can budget, a whole host of basic life skills, that schools completely fail to impart.

But noooooooooo, let's teach the kids to "code"...

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

#68

Earlier 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 :)

It's not a direct answer to your question, but a while back I ran across http://www.introtopython.org/ which in a beginners introduction to programming using Python as the first language. It has a github project[1] full of IPython notebooks used in the course.

[1] https://github.com/ehmatthes/intro_programming

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

#69
post #34

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.

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.
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