Douglas Rushkoff argues that the United States needs to be teaching programming in grade school.
Amazingly, America - the birthplace of the Internet - is the only developed nation that does not teach programming in its public schools. Sure, some of our schools have elected to offer “computer” classes, but instead of teaching programming, these classes almost invariably teach programs: how to use Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, or any of the other commercial software packages used in the average workplace. We teach our kids how to get jobs in today’s marketplace rather than how to innovate for tomorrow’s.
I particularly liked this part:
When human beings acquired language, we learned not just how to listen but how to speak. When we gained literacy, we learned not just how to read but how to write. And as we move into an increasingly digital reality, we must learn not just how to use programs but how to make them.
Interesting article from today’s New York Times. The article describes several studies which indicate that studying material in a variety of settings increases retention. Study in the dorm room a bit, then go to the coffee shop, then to the library.
I have heard of businesses requiring their employees to move desks every couple weeks for similar reasons—it seems to increase creative output when people are placed into unfamiliar surroundings.
The New York Times Magazine ran this article under the headline “How Christian Were the Founders?”, which might lead the reader to believe the article is a history of the founding fathers’ religious proclivities. The article is actually about the current battle over textbook standards in Texas. Specifically, it is about the bloc of Christian activist board members—seven out of fifteen—attempting to rewrite history textbooks to teach the Christian history of America.
Why should anyone outside Texas care? Because Texas standards govern the textbooks used in most—maybe as many as 47!—states.
