jeaa presentation - why should communicators learn to code?
TRANSCRIPT
Why Should Communicators Learn To Code?
@CindyRoyalAssociate ProfessorTexas State UniversityStanford Knight Journalism Fellow 2013-2014slideshare.net/cindyroyal
“Learning these skills isn’t just important for your future, it’s important for our country’s future.”
Barack Obama
“Everyone should learn a computer language, because it teaches you how to think.”
Steve Jobs
Coding is becoming an important literacy• Supports algorithmic thinking
• Develops a problem-solving mindset
• An expression of innovation and creativity
• Provides a perspective on the tech environment
Computers will be a part of any media career and most other careers
Data, data everywhere
People will get information in a variety of embedded and atmospheric ways
Storytelling has become interactive
Retrieving data: Scraping and APIs
We have a high % of women in themass communication discipline
An opportunity to address the digital divide
• New York Times, Interactive News Developer“The job requires solid coding skills and the ability to execute.”“Expert-level of standards-driven CSS, HTML, JavaScript.”“Experience with Ruby, Python or MySQL is a plus.”
• Quartz, Reporter on “Things” Team“Quartz seeks a reporter to help us commit acts of journalism with code.”“Chiefly responsible for our data-driven and visual journalism, from charts to interactive graphics to news apps.Background in “front-end Web development, systems administration,
statistics, data science, design, writing or information architecture.”
Jobs!
– BuzzFeed, Data Journalist for Investigative Reporting Team“Track record of using data to find, tell and reinforce powerful stories.”“Be proficient in at least one modern programming language.”
– Austin American-Statesman, News Application Specialist“Programming skills to develop apps for HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript.”“Familiarity with Web APIs and common data visualization libraries.”“Experience with a web development framework such as Rails or Django is preferred.”
Jobs!
Work with a CMS
The rise of the media platform
• The content management system defines a media company’s business
• Who can publish, participate and share?
• What kinds of stories can be told?
• What kind of analytics are available?
What is Computer Programming?
• Problem solving using computer code• Working with and developing algorithms to accomplish
specific tasks• Web development is a type of computer programming• Combination of content, design, functionality and data• Computers are dumb, but obedient –will do what you
tell them.• It’s fun! Provides a sense of accomplishment.
Types of Languages
• Markup languages – HTML/CSS
• Interpreted languages – JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP
• Data-oriented languages – SQL
• Web Development Frameworks – Bootstrap, Django, Rails
• Libraries - JQuery
Coding Syntax
• HTML/CSS – foundation of the Web, provides structure and styling of Web pages.
• Logic-based languages:
– Data types and variables
– Logic via if statements and loops
– Functions
Coding in the Curriculum
• HTML/CSS
• Bootstrap
• Wordpress
• JavaScript/JQuery
• Charting Tools
• Python Web Scraping/API
• Web Frameworks
Tech in the Curriculum• History of computers, Internet
and Web• Social and cultural effects of
technology• New business models/platforms• Network effects• Technology entrepreneurship• Social media• Data• Tech news• Communication skills introduced
in these contexts
New Major Proposal
• Digital Media Innovation – a digitally immersive major for a subset of students.
• Same core as other majors: Intro. to Mass Comm, Media Writing, Media Law and Digital Fundamentals
• 15-18 hours in digitally focused courses – Web Design, Programming, Multimedia, Advanced Social Media, Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Mobile Reporting/Development
• 6-9 hours in traditional courses
How?
• Partner with computer science or other technology departments
• Find community resources
• Allow and encourage faculty to seek these competencies
• Prioritize when hiring
• General faculty development around technology awareness and literacy
Get Started• Codecademy.com
• Lynda.com
• Google Charts, MyMaps and Fusion Tables
• Chart.js or HighCharts
• Coding meetups/hackathons in your community, like Girls Who Code, Hacks/Hackers
• CodeActually.com
Get Started
• Introduce technology concepts:
– Agile Methodologies
– Design Thinking
– Prototyping
• Spreadsheet basics
• Chartle/Wordle
• Review great work