Coding immersion coming to Sioux Falls schools

[TexasTowelie]

Students will soon learn coding in kindergarten.

School board members Monday will consider a $1.26 million contract between the Sioux Falls School District and Code to the Future to create a computer science immersion program in three elementary schools.

It's a high ticket price, but Superintendent Brian Maher said the extensive professional development support will make the contract worthwhile.

"That's a reasonable cost for a program of this magnitude," Maher said.

Read more: http://www.argusleader.com/story/news/education/2017/02/27/coding-immersion-coming-sioux-falls-schools/98353928/

[font color=330099]Why don't they teach the students how to read, write and do simple arithmetic instead? There will be plenty of time to train them in coding in their academic careers.[/font]

[Phoenix61]

1. Ridiculous

The Commodore 64 was the computer of the day when I was in high-school. I later went on to get a bachelors in computer information sciences. Learning how to program didn't require early programming experience. It required the ability to think in a logical manner. What ever those young children are learning will be obsolete by the time the graduate high-school, if not sooner.

[TexasTowelie]

2. I question the value of learning coding

when they haven't obtained the basic skills of learning the alphabet or basic math such as addition and subtraction along with some set theory such as learning about the union and intersection concepts. I think that around 4th grade they should start acquiring keyboarding and coding skills, but prior to that time the more traditional curriculum should apply.

There will be a lot of money spent on computers and technology when the students don't have the knowledge of respecting property rather than throwing it on the ground when they are frustrated. Part of the early grades is acquiring social skills and how to behave around other people of the same age. I see a lot of potential problems with immersion at this level of education.

[samnsara]

3. what a great idea!!

I think this is great. Coding will be a second, very employable, language. Now the girls will have an equal footing with boys in this field.

[HoneyBadger]

4. Great idea

Code is universal and culturally neutral.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

5. Truly stupid idea.

First off, as already pointed out, they need to learn to read, write, and do math.

Second, just how many careers out there require knowledge of coding? Teaching school, other than teaching coding itself, doesn't. Nor does being a doctor, lawyer, bus driver, airline pilot, fast food worker, just to name a tiny handful of jobs that don't need it.

Third, and perhaps most important, the coding they learn in kindergarten will almost certainly not be used by the time they hit sixth grade or so.

A far better choice would be to start teaching foreign languages in kindergarten. Too many Americans have zero knowledge of another language, and knowing at least one other with a reasonable degree of proficiency, which is achievable if you start a language early enough, would be vastly more useful.

[flyingfysh]

6. Other things are more important than coding

First, get a good education. Learn how to write clearly. Learn literature, history, civics. Learn math and science. Learn how to think clearly.
I'm qualified to say other things are more important; I am a professional programmer.