Computer programming has been sparking a debate about whether or not it should be taught in schools. Java programming used to be taught in high school by math departments because there was an AP exam. With the decline of AP offerings and the elimination of teachers and shortage of programming savvy teachers few schools offer programming for students. Visual programming languages have been invented in recent years that could let students as young as elementary program their own games.
Read the Edutopia article Programming is the New Literacy. Be sure to read the comments below the article.
Does our reliance on computers require us to become programmers?
Are our students going to need this skill for future careers? Will we perform better in certain jobs not usually considered programming jobs if we are literate in programming?
Are we illiterate if we can't program in this digital age?
Should we offer our students the option to create a program representing The Water Cycle instead of just letting them do a PowerPoint, poster-board, report, diorama or video?
Programming is going to be essential in the years coming. I am one who falls into the category that one can only be classified as literate if they have these basic programming skills as of today. Such skills in my opinion would include: MS WORD and Searching the Internet. That would apply to those who are more of the "digital immigrants." People that are 25 and younger should have more advanced skills and understand programming such as Facebook, Myspace, creating movies (youtube) in order to be considered literate. I feel all jobs will move to a more digital world. How couldn't they? They wouldn't be able to keep up with the rest of the world if they didn't. As far as in the classroom goes, giving students the option to use programming to represent the water cycle is an excellent idea. As of the present day, being computer savvy would/should fit under a modality of learning or Gardern's Multiple Intelligence. When we teach don't we try to incorporate as many intelligences as possible? So why not teach to those who can represent an idea best through programming? Being computer literate is very important for the future of America and the world!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I totally agree. I think that all of the emphasis these days is on reforming the way we teach when really we should be concentrating on teaching programming skills in schools. I have students in my 9th grade classes that know how to download music illegally, surf the web for spark-notes, and tweet about mundane aspects of their lives however they do not understand the idea behind all of this technology. The number of computer programmers are decreasing and I think that this should be an issue addressed in schools! I would love to have my student program a digital water cycle within class and show the two different paths the water can take as it hits the ground. I think the key to understanding these technologies is to show the students what is behind these innovations. We need to get away from being this culture that neglects to understand the mechanics behind everyday technology and become a thriving culture of creativity and changes in the realm of computer programing.
ReplyDeleteIn reading this article, I was particularly intrigued by the definition of programming. I, as well as many others I'm sure, previously held programming to be the actual writing of software or coding, etc. Although they do touch on that in the article, I think it is important to understand that by programming they are often referring to actually operating already existing softwares and programs, and ultimately utilizing whatever technology is available to best suit our needs. This does not necessarily mean creating our own software. Therefore, in such a technologically savvy society, I feel that we absolutely are required to become programmers. If you want to keep up to date in the business world, education world, or whatever world you're in, it is imperative that you become a programmer. Should you not become a programmer, you will easily be left behind while the rest of the world continue to move forward. We are illiterate if we cannot program in this age. However, that can change. Not only can one take classes, but there is a wealth of tutorials online where people can teach themselves to be programmers. Nonetheless, students must have these skills to be prepared for their future careers. Almost any career will be linked to technology, and those that may not be today, will be tomorrow. Furthermore, we can encourage innovation by showing a job that may not be linked to technology, and then showing how it potentially can. Therefore, as educators, we must embrace this idea of programming and encourage it with our students. That is why a student should be not only permitted but encouraged to create a program that depicts the water cycle. In doing so, we are inspiring creativity as it appeals to them in the digital age that they are growing up in and accustomed to.
ReplyDeleteTim, I am totally with you! I didn't fully understand what was meant by programming until I read this article. I gave myself a little pat on the back for being a programmer (no matter how low level it is). Before I read this article I felt that we should leave the programming to the programmers and we can just use the programs they create. I now see the point about being "literate” and "illiterate". The fact is that this article was written in 2008 and the ideas still stand true today in 2011. I think that our reliance on computers makes it totally necessary to become programmers. I think that there will definitely be levels of "literacy", but I think everyone will need to know basics to be successful. I think every job (even ones not thought to need programming) will need computer literate people. My heart dropped when I read this article because I do not want to be one of those parents that hands everything over to my children and ask them to do it for me. I want my children, and students for that matter, to consider me more than just barely literate in programming. How do we learn how to do this and how do we teach this to our students???? I am truly intrigued! I think that if this is the way the world is going, it is silly to try and fight it. If a student creates a program, that is as valuable as the traditional types of assessments! Just like Michelle, I instantly thought of the multiple intellegence theory. Instead of students using their knowledge for pirating music (as Allison said above) I think that they could use it for such great things. As teachers, its our job to encourage them to do this!
ReplyDeleteTim, you mention how their are tutorials for almost everything. This is a vaild point. You do not have to go past your own house to get all the information you need to be up to date in this tech savvy society. Most things are free on-line. The key to this though is, do these people know how to get online and perform a search.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article I feel that we would need to have some type of programming ability if we are to survive in this technology driven society. Speaking as not a teacher, I do feel and believe that students will need to have some type of mindset or ability in programming(But it could be as simple as setting up a chart which averages or does calculations). When using a computer anything that you do to make the end result will and can be defined as programming. Because everything we do in this century is computer based being literate in programming will definietly give you a leg upinyour workplace and you might even discover quicker or better ways to get your results. Those results will allow you to or give you the ability to be creative.
ReplyDeleteIf we can't "program" in some respect we can be considered illiterate however being in the digital age gives you the ability to discover and come up with new ideas basically it allows you to be creative in a sense.
Because I'm not a teacher, I feel as a student I would like to be given the opportunity to create a program that represents the water cycle, instead of a powerpoint prsentation or a poster board etc. By doing this it will allow me as well as other students to be creative.
The article uses a very broad definition of programming. As a math teacher, I feel it is important for students to learn actual programming as well. When I was in college in the early 1980s, I took a course in Basic and an EE course in Microprocessors (all ones and zeros). My friends majoring in computers took Cobalt, Fortran, etc. They were difficult and tedious and it took a certain type of personality to enjoy learning and using them. Fast forward to today, where my sons learn Scratch in an after-school program, and Flash in summer camp. They play a game called Little Big Planet on PS3 where they are creating their own game as they play. When I did my student teaching at Tappan Zee High School, they offered a course Java, I’m not sure if they still do. I can relate to the comment in the article about there not being enough qualified teachers to teach programming. I am certified to teach HS math but have no recent experience with programming. My feeling is that the Math cert requirements should probably change to reflect the changing world. More emphasis could be placed on programming languages and statistics, which are greatly overshadowed by the engineering-type math we stress today. (Algebra and Calculus). Not everyone will go into engineering but everyone should be literate at programming and data manipulation.
ReplyDeleteApologies for my lateness! I tried this 3 times yesterday and it would not post.
ReplyDeleteThrough the article, it becomes clear that educational enviornment is moving forward and developing. As corporating education and computer literatecy could create new wind for classroom atmosphere. I am not sure what they actually refer to 'programming' because it sounds like wrting a software program is. However, since most of teachers are not advanced than kids in their class, it could be turning into opportunities to create media projects or group technology tasks.
ReplyDeleteIt would be helpful to explore expressing their creativity.
I would like to learn it for myself and used them for my studio classes!