EDET 678 Emerging
Technologies
Week 6 Blog
Essential question: What are the compelling arguments both for and against computer coding in schools?
Essential question: What are the compelling arguments both for and against computer coding in schools?
At this
moment, there are very few school and school districts that require students to
take a computer science class before they graduate. Computer coding is not
tested on state- and district-wide standardized tests, which is one reason
against having computer coding in schools. The federal government has not
required any states to provide computer programming for students and I think
this is a major set back for having these opportunities in the school. Another
reason why there isn’t computer programming and coding in schools because it is
a new topic and skill that has come about in the educational world and it hasn’t
quite grasped on.
There are
many reasons why computer coding should be in schools (and I very much agree!).
Engelberg describes these reasons very well in his article. Students should
learn computer coding because it is a skill that has value across many
disciplines, it is a great way to teach students solving and critical thinking
skills, and there are many jobs that require computer science. (2015) There are
many companies who complain that there aren’t enough people to hire because
they don’t have the proper qualifications in computer science.
As I alluded
to, there are many things that need to be done at the local, state, and federal
level to start providing computer-coding opportunities to students. Weissmann
brings up a good point that there needs to be better access to internet and
also a better quality of internet so that technology in schools can be used to
its fullest. (2013) At the local level, parents need to bring the fact of providing
computer science is important for their students to the school board. I am passionate about providing coding opportunities
and I can only do so much at my school before I need backing.
Resources:
Engelberg, M.
(2015). 3 Reasons coding should be a core
subject. Getting Smart. Retrieved from http://www.gettingsmart.com/2015/09/3-reasons-coding-should-be-a-core-subject/
Weissmann, J.
(2013). Why high schools should treat
computer programming like Algebra. The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/05/why-high-schools-should-treat-computer-programming-like-algebra/275893/
You might read Carolyn's blog. She makes some good points. I like the idea of teaching coding because of all that it teaches in addition to coding, but I also like the idea of taking it easy, seeing where it will lead, and seeing if it can be learned well enough by enough teachers to make teaching it in school plausible.
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