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Massachusetts Embraces Philanthropy-Funded K-12 CS Education
theodp writes: The Boston Globe reports that after more than two years of lobbying, the Massachusetts Computing Attainment Network (MassCAN) — an advocacy group comprised of Boston-area execs from Google, Microsoft, and other large tech companies — will use $1.5 million of state money and another $1.5 million in matching MassCAN funds to train teachers in computer science instruction and to lobby more school districts to introduce the lessons. The move comes two months after the State of Washington embraced philanthropy-funded K-12 CS education after being cajoled to do so by Microsoft and tech-bankrolled Code.org. "Computing isn't introduced in certain schools at all, or it's introduced very late in the educational experience — and computer science is a very difficult thing to learn later in life," said Steve Vinter, director of Google's Cambridge office and the head of MassCAN. Vinter acknowledged that MassCAN's campaign is driven in part by self-interest: Google and other companies are worried about a lack of programmers and developers that are highly in demand in the booming MA tech industry.
The article summary states, "computer science is a very difficult thing to learn later in life"
That is a false premise. To learn anything you need the prerequisite skills. Computer Science can be taught to people with basic reading and math skills. Some experience typing is helpful but not necessary. I am working with my seven year old daughter on various tech skills. I found the Gcompris educational software to be a good place to start. Early parental involvement in learning is way more important than trying to make "code monkeys" out of people who are not interested. My daughter is mainly into the artistic aspects so far. It is a good learning experience for both of us.
Simply put, an interested learner of any age can pick up Computer Science and programming faster than someone who is not really all that interested in tech.
I only look human.
My mother is a halfling and my dad is an ogre, so that makes me an Ogreling
But whe it says "Massachusetts Embraces" it doesn't seem to refer to the Commonwealth of MA, just this lobby group.
WH visitor records indicate MassCAN Executive Director Jim Stanton was at the White House on the day Code.org 'taught President Obama to code' last December, and that he joined Google, Microsoft, and Code.org execs in a sit-down immediately afterwards with the head of the National Science Foundation. Stanton is also a Sr. Project Manager at Education Development Center (EDC leads MassCAN), which announced in March it had received a $6.5 million NSF grant to bring Berkeley’s Snap!-based The Beauty and Joy of Computing course to New York City high schools.
FTA: "tech executives argue that local public schools are failing to teach students valuable computer skills."
Does this mean if *high schools* (because we aren't talking about universities) picked up the slack and started to churn out code monkeys, these tech companies would stop lobbying for more H1B Visas? Because if they don't stop lobbying it just means they are selling these kids a bill of goods since their jobs are going to be replaced by H1B Visas holders. So Google, you can piss off.
And in a year or so, these "philanthropists" will cry poor, and insist government does this.
This is special interest groups controlling education for their own corporate interests.
They don't give a damn about children. They care about a workforce of people who will be made to work cheaply as they've been educated to meet corporate requirements.
Having corporations dictating the direction of education is scary.
Welcome to the dystopian oligarchy, you'll do what we tell you to, and we have government on the payroll to ensure you do.
Lost at C:>. Found at C.
This whole CS as a core subject really bother's me. Basically it's being motivated by corporations to serve their needs without any regard for what is best for the student nor society at large. In 2012, 1.8% of the population of the US is working in the "information sector" and the idea that we our going to tailor our education to serve that industry is appalling. All the hand wavy arguments that teaching CS will have broad benefits is absurd in that it ignores the fact that time is being taken for CS that could be used to teach actual fundamental subjects. If you want better citizens then make recognition of one's own cognitive biases and combating them a core subject. Include some logic and epistemology. FFS.
Some privacy policy Slashdot.
Here is how I'd do it. I'm not a teacher.
6th grade...
For one quarter, trimester, or A/B day semester.
Keyboarding (a week spent on proper typing for those who want to know how)
Operating Systems (Windows, Linux, Mac, etc.; how to install, etc.)
Office software (various)
Hardware (taking apart, learning the parts, upgrading RAM, etc.
Internet (IPv4, IPv6, how networking works, etc.)
Programming/Scripting (a week learning something, even if it's QBASIC)
Safety (Antivirus, Phishing, etc.)
I'd also have maybe a week-long section at term's end dedicated to student choice.
History of computers and the Internet. Not too in-depth.
In high school, try to expand the offering of classes, but do not necessarily try to shove programming in their faces.
Under no circumstance should a programming class be considered a foreign language credit. Foreign language is more than just learning a new language. It's also about the culture.
While computers may be useful in elementary school, they should be seen as a tool, not a replacement, for learning.
I don't know if we need a dedicated class for learning about computers. Maybe taking a few days every now and then and dealing with things, especially if reports are to be typed. Just like spending a class in the library learning about how to find things, but not a whole class/course for it.
Later? Another turn of the screw. Just don't become chronically dependent on this shit. We already know how quickly they will shut down a project that doesn't produce the desired results fast enough. This is social engineering to install a trojan at its finest. Let's see what our Nigerian Princes want in return.
“He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
Teach kids logic and critical thinking and c.s. will be easy to learn, however old you are.
Teach just c.s. and their education will be obsolete before you know it.
In turn, the companies need remedial civics lessons. If those philanthropic companies wouldn't avoid paying taxes in the US...
>> Google and other companies are worried about a lack of programmers and developers that are highly in demand in the booming MA tech industry.
>> computer science is a very difficult thing to learn later in life
Translation: no one older than 30 need apply
I am not opposed to more computer education, but I think it would be best handled in a more community centered learning experience for students who want the knowledge than it would be something thrown into curriculum. Computers were democratized when you didn't need to be a nerd to use one. Knowing how computers operate and being able to write commands in the language of the little men doing the operations isn't necessary for the majority of people. Some knowledge can help, but those who want computer education will seek it out. Focus on the math and logic part of it in school. Make it possible for students to understand computers. After the get the basics, the internet can teach them rest. It is how sex education works, so it is bound to work for techmologies.
Bother is? Bother was? Something belongs to a bother?
Seriously dude, bother's???
Businesses VOLUNTARILY spend some of the wealth THEY created on good works and all you statist running-dog's do is complain.
When I put my quarter in the jukebox, I choose the song. It's just the same thing.
I guess you'd just rather increase taxes and hope 5% trickles through the bureaucracy to the front line. That's good numbers for anything run by government.
--
roman_mir
I'll steer my kids far away from CS as it will be a poor way to make a living; awash in cheap labor.
Ok. We get it. It's all a google/MS/FB conspiracy to steal your jobs.
BUT now expects its CHICKS FOR FREE! What next? MTV? Ha-ha Gordon Sumner!
How much of this state money will be spent on Windows licenses?
Earlier on Slashdot: Microsoft Offers Washington a Bargain: More State Taxes, For More [CS] Education
Bother is? Bother was? Something belongs to a bother?
Seriously dude, bother's???
Yes, I made a typo on a forum that does not allow editing and you, oh great and noble AC, have shown the light of your vast intellect upon it. No idea why I accidentally typed that apostrophe. But thank you for focussing your attention on that rather than the actual content of the comment I made.
I shall henceforth start all of my posts with a trigger warning that I may occasionally make a mistake when composing a message and that people afflicted with various forms of grammatical, syntactical or orthographical OCD should have their psychological support system readily available before reading the message.
Some privacy policy Slashdot.