Source: ajc.com
Now this is a novel approach. Kentucky has made it law that students can take programming to meet their foreign language requirements.
I think this is a great idea. One of the important things to remember when learning to program is that all programming languages follow standard syntax, structure and grammar just like regular spoken languages. You learn how to assemble phrases, sentences, and paragraphs that result in something being communicated. As we'll soon learn, it's communicated to the CPU first and then to the user, but it still needs to be written out properly.
I wonder if this will lead to other districts/municipalities/states doing the same thing? I respect people who can speak multiple languages, I can speak a few words here and there in a few, but I can't speak one fluently. I also respect fluent programmers and their command of *those* languages. Hopefully, this will allow many students who already have an interest in technology - and perhaps already speak a second language or more - to get a head start in coding and begin to develop those skills formally to put into use later.
If you would like to experiment with code yourself, there is a great website over at code.org where you can learn all about programming - if you really want to see what a program looks like, you can go to the section on building an iPhone app in your browser and it will place you right into a programming environment complete with Objective-C code (the code apps are written in) to start. I like that because I think C++ and C# are the best languages out there right now, and Objective-C is as close to those as Code.org gets.
Or, if it's an emergency and you have to act like you know what you're doing right away, just go to this site and start typing anything you want - BAM! You're a programmer. Sort of.
I think that this is a great opportunity for students to fulfill their foreign language requirements, as it is a foreign language to most. Some may argue however, that you cannot speak with others with this language, but I think you can. One can speak to other computer programmers, whereas the average computer user may not. I definitely think technology is the way of the future, and the more people we have in society that are able to create programs and apps which make our lives simpler, the better as far as I am concerned.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a great idea and opportunity for students. Since computers and the language that they use will be more important and necessary as time goes on. Technology is and will be a driving force in business so it would benefit students to be knowledgeable in programming language.
ReplyDeleteThis offers a great opportunity because it gives students options. The plus side is that it won't count as an elective but an actual credit that can help u go to collage. I had a bit of interest in coding there is another site that is very detailed and good for beginners; www.codeacademy.com. I recommend anybody to go and explore the world of programming it is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThis can also inspire students to pursue programing at in early stage in life. Which is great due to the fact that this career is becoming big due to the smartphone and other related devices.
The fact that your article starts off calling it a language is enough. it is somthing that has to be lerned and can be translated fits. it opens up additioal language streams. I think we should start being as abstact in our education system to include this as an avenue of communicaiton.
ReplyDeleteProgramming and computer skills such as excel and word should be mandatory for graduation. Without basic computer knowledge people are at a severe disadvantage in the challenging job market that we are in
ReplyDeleteI agree that computer programming can be called a second language. Back in my day we were required to take a computer class that included programming. It was crazy how you would have to write each line and each line made the program do something. It did take a lot to write a program that made the computer do a "simple" task. I also took a second language in high school and yes it was just as foreign as the computer class.
ReplyDeletePerhaps if someone is already computer savvy it makes sense. I am not sure how coding would compare to a second language. I guess if someone had the patient to instruct such a course, there are obviously interested people out there. I myself would want to learn an actual language in addition to the programming.
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