Programmers weigh in on why each of these popular first coding languages is the best one for beginners
via Best starter programming language? Compiling 8 top developer picks | ITworld.
Teaching Code in the Classroom – Room for Debate – NYTimes.com
Despite the rapid spread of coding instruction in grade schools, there is some concern that creative thinking and other important social and creative skills could be compromised by a growing focus on technology, particularly among younger students. Should coding be part of the elementary school curriculum?
via Teaching Code in the Classroom – Room for Debate – NYTimes.com.
When Kids Would Rather Play Computer Games Than Code Them – NYTimes.com
By KJ DELL’ANTONIA MAY 12, 2014 1:25 PM
Coding is trending. In schools. Twenty thousand teachers from kindergarten through 12th grade have introduced coding lessons, according to Code.org, a group backed by the tech industry that offers free curriculums. Thirty school districts, including New York City and Chicago, have agreed to add coding classes in the fall, mainly in high schools but in lower grades, too. At home, parents are downloading programs that promise to teach children coding basics, and toys that can be coded in various ways are lining up for the next holiday season.
via When Kids Would Rather Play Computer Games Than Code Them – NYTimes.com.
How to Get Girls Into Coding – NYTimes.com
By NITASHA TIKUMAY 31, 2014
WHEN I was 7 years old, I knew the capitals of most major countries and their currencies. I had to, if I wanted to track down a devious criminal mastermind in the computer game “Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?” On screen, the ACME Detective Agency would spit out clues like notable landmarks to help players identify the city where Carmen’s globe-trotting henchmen were hiding out. I wouldn’t learn how to pronounce Reykjavik for more than a decade, but I could tell you that its currency was called the krona.
Google: Exploring Computational Thinking
Computational thinking (CT) involves a set of problem-solving skills and techniques that software engineers use to write programs that underlie the computer applications you use such as search, email, and maps. However, computational thinking is applicable to nearly any subject. Students who learn computational thinking across the curriculum begin to see a relationship between different subjects as well as between school and life outside of the classroom.
Specific computational thinking techniques include: problem decomposition, pattern recognition, pattern generalization to define abstractions or models, algorithm design, and data analysis and visualization.
13 PHP Frameworks to Help Build Agile Applications
Building software applications can be a complex, time consuming process, however utilizing a framework can help you develop projects faster by reusing generic components and modules, and work better building on one unified structural foundation. Using a framework also facilitates scalability and long-term maintenance by complying with development standards, keeping your code organized and allowing your application to evolve and grow over time.
CSTUY – Computer Science and Technology for Urban Youth
In 1990, Mike Zamansky left his job as a software engineer for Goldman Sachs and entered the teaching profession. A few years later, at New York City’s prestigious Stuyvesant High School, he noticed a lack of opportunities for students to study computer science and related field. This started a twenty year journey to try to share his passion for computer science with youngsters and inspire them to go on to do great things in technology related fields.
Over the years Mike was joined by master teachers like JonAlf Dyrland-Weaver and Samuel Konstantinovich. Together, at Stuyvesant High School they have designed new courses, trained new teachers, run after school and summer programs, and built a community of Stuyvesant Computer Science Alumni that now permeate the Tech Industry.
Having dealt with the frustrations of working within the system to try to bring more opportunities to more youngsters and inspired by their alumni community, Mike, Sam, and JonAlf, have joined with Jennifer Hsu and Artie Jordan along with other members of the Stuy CS Community to form CSTUY, Computer Science and Technology for Urban Youth. An organization dedicated to bringing computer science and technology related educational opportunities to high school and middle school students.
What makes us different
Real teachers
Computer Science as a field faces a real dilemma. Due to licensing restrictions, there are very few teachers with strong computer science backgrounds. The flip side is that teaching is an art and a difficult one at that. The ability to teach at more than the most superficial level takes years to develop.
Most existing computer science programs are run by volunteers with limited teaching experience or by teachers with limited tech knowledge.
CSTUY has the advantage of having master teachers with strong technical backgrounds with a history of not only delivering inspirational instruction but also of developing courses and course sequences that are time tested.
continue reading About | CSTUY.
Codementor | Instant 1:1 Help from Expert Developers
Codementor is an online marketplace for 1:1 programming help. We connect developers to experts instantly via screen/code sharing, video and chat.
Why (And How) Students Are Learning To Code – Edudemic
By Katie Lepi on March 30, 2014
Coding is more important now than ever before. With computer related jobs growing at a rate estimated to be 2x faster than other types of jobs, coding is becoming an important literacy for students to have and a more integral part of education and curricula. The handy infographic below takes a look at some of the interesting statistics about coding and computer science jobs. So if you aren’t yet sure why learning to code is important, you’ll find out below. Keep reading to learn more!
Coding: The Job of The Future
- It is estimated that by 2020, computer related employment will increase by 22%
- This will mean about 1.4 million jobs in computer science
- The strongest demand will be for software developers
- Computer programming jobs are growing at a rate estimated to be 2x faster than other types of jobs
- Less than 2.4% of graduates graduate with a computer science degree
- If current job trends continue, US citizens will only fill 30% of our country’s computer science jobs
- Beginning in September 2014, England is implementing a compulsory computer coding in schools at all grade levels
- A new bill has been introduced in the US which would qualify computer coding as a foreign language, and allocate grants for schools to teach coding as early as kindergarten
- According to one CEO, an employee who understands how to code is worth $500,000 to $1M towards a company’s acquisition price
via Why (And How) Students Are Learning To Code – Edudemic.
Computer coding more in demand than languages, survey shows | Education | The Guardian
The teaching of computer coding should be prioritised over modern languages, according to a survey of British adults.
Twice as many thought teaching computer coding in school should be a priority than the number who saw Mandarin Chinese as more important. Coding was the top choice for 52%, against 38% who favoured French lessons, 32% Spanish, 25% German and 24% Mandarin.
The poll was published by code.org, a campaign to introduce children and parents to coding. It has created Hour of Code, a series of free tutorials designed to show students the basics of programming in an hour.
continue reading: Computer coding more in demand than languages, survey shows | Education | The Guardian.