objective: understand why you should learn to code even if you don’t want to be a computer...
TRANSCRIPT
Why You Should Learn to Code
Objective: Understand why you should learn to code even
if you don’t want to be a computer scientist.
Essential Questions:
◦ What is Coding?
◦ What is computational thinking?
◦ What are some opportunities for learning how to code?
Why You Should Learn to Code
Behind every computer, app or robot, there
is someone who wrote the program telling it
what to do
Computer scientists typically work in teams
Can spend months writing detailed
instructions for programming a
computer/robot/app
What coders do
The code covers every possible situation that the technology would need to cover (modeling problems and creating algorithms)
Months spent in testing solutions (reviewing their work & problem solving)
Betas testers give feedback and problems are fixed (reevaluate)
Continuously improve the program
Programming Process
6
East
Cary
Mid
dle
S
ch
ool
1. ASKWhat’s the Problem?
What are the Constraints?
2. IMAGINEBrainstorm Ideas.
Choose the Best One.
3. PLANDraw A Diagram.
Gather Needed Materials.
4. CREATEFollow the Plan.
Test it Out!
5. IMPROVEDiscuss What Can Work
Better.Repeat Steps 1 through 5.
The Engineering
DesignProcess
Inte
gra
ted
S.T
.E.M
.
It’s a myth that you have to be a math or
science genius to learn to program
You just need to learn the process and then
practice it
You can build a portfolio by doing volunteer
work for a church or charity
Myths
Problem decomposition
Pattern recognition
Pattern generalization
Algorithm design
Data analysis
Visualization
Computational Thinking
You program when you control your own digital technology◦ Setting up a universal TV remote◦ Downloading a ringtone◦ Customizing your cell or desktop
Most of this takes place in higher level languages consisting of menus and choices
You Already Program
Will everyone that Learns to Code Get aProgramming Job?
NO!
But the skills you learn are
transferable to any job!
Programming requires◦ Critical thinking◦ Math skills◦ Communication
skills◦ Problem solving
skills◦ Creativity ◦ Perseverance
Transferable Skills
“The programmers of tomorrow are the wizards of the future. You’re going to look like you have magic powers.”
-Gabe Newell, video game designer
Programmers of Tomorrow
As programming becomes more common place, it will become a key skill and attribute of our top intellectual and social classes just as reading and writing were in the past
The Future…Programming Literacy
Can you read it? It says, “Now Hiring.”
30 Years from now machines are expected to be a billion times more powerful than they are today!
Literacy will belong to those who can master not words, or even multimedia, but a variety of powerful, expressive human-machine interactions
The Future…Programming Literacy
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2010 there were 913,00 computer programming jobs
That is expected to increase by 30% from 2010 to 2020
“There aren’t enough people to fill these jobs because technology and the job market are moving much faster than education in high schools and colleges.”
-Mark Lassoff, Founder of learntoprogram.tv
Lots of Coding Jobs Go Begging
Learn to code start-up companies have been able to fundraise millions to get their companies going
Investors realize that companies like Code Academy don’t just train the next generation of developers, the skills they teach are essential for managers too.
Teaching Programming is Big Business
Do You Code?
Do You Code?
Late July/August there will be a new Coding Club at ECMS!
Learn about computational thinking
Learn coding by utilizing various free online software
Help and advice from real programmers
A chance to meet new friends that also love to code!!
New Coding Club in the Fall!!!