Coding for Kids

[F, Calla & Luca]

TED has the most interesting things. Here's one on coding for kids.
http://www.ted.com/talks/mitch_resnick_let_s_teach_kids_to_code.htm...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok6LbV6bqaE

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

I love TED talks! This one has some great material and Resnick makes some interesting points. Just a few thoughts in no particular order while I listen -

1) I love the way he says cooooode!

2) Teach all the kids to program? Oh yes please! Anything that gets those brains working in any dimension is good. Working in mathematical/critical thinking/creative dimensions, even better!

2a) Solving programming problems uses the same pathways in the brain and the same mental skills as solving mathematical problems, I'm told. I'm not seeing the downside to teaching our kids to program. *grin*

3) I'm a bit bothered by his use of Java for an example of a language for "people with special mathematical skills and technological backgrounds". It wouldn't be my first choice of a "learning" language, but it's really not that arcane. (Full disclosure - Java was one of the first languages I learned to work in.)

4) This looks very appealing to kids, but where's the adult version? (No, not THAT kind of adult!) People my age and older didn't grow up with computers and to many it's a scary box where magic happens. I'd love to see something like this for these people - folks like I work with who are highly educated (multiple doctorates and chemistry patents sort of people) who don't see a need to learn a programming language as such but would enjoy having more control over, and some of the mystery removed from, the computers they have to interact with.

5) I think I could listen to him talk all day.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't know that I could listen to him all day but good points : )

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This is so awesome.  When computers were in their babyhood and pretty simple, my husband and I took classes which taught us how to write programs which we could then use in our classrooms.  We were hooked.  As computers got so much smarter and sophisticated, I wanted them to do more and more personally for my students, but knew that I couldn't make that happen.  That there are programs out there for kids to control and create with is just wonderful.  I am going to play myself!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Filing away into "future child rearing ideas" folder. (yes I have one. LOL)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Funny, Camilla. I think I may nickname you C. So much easier on my tablet : )

[Camilla and Darwin]

Fine by me, F. :-)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good, C.

[Diana C]

We're putting our 9-year-old in a coding class this fall.  Definitely the way to go!  I wish someone had put me in a coding class at that age, but alas, when I was 9, I doubt they existed... ;)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good for your 9 year old. When I was 9 they certainly did not have personal computers : )