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The New York Times is running a Room for Debate on whether all children should be taught to code. Opinions range from "Teach it as soon as possible" to "It's a scam".
Despite the rapid spread of coding instruction in grade schools, there is some concern that creative thinking and other important social and creative skills could be compromised by a growing focus on technology, particularly among younger students. Should coding be part of the elementary school curriculum?
I'm curious what Soylentils think about this: Is teaching kids coding in elementary school a good idea?
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I feel like I'm in a Toilet Bowl with a thumbtack in my forehead!!
(Score: 1) by youngatheart on Thursday May 15 2014, @01:02AM
It's hard to say who can or can't be a programmer if most people never get the education they need at the early age required. I had a job as a nursing assistant taking care of old people. It was one of the hardest and most rewarding jobs I've ever held. Today I write programs. I am good at my job now and I was good at my job then.
No, of course not everyone has the aptitudes I do, but many do. Giving them the early edge they need to develop those aptitudes where they can, shouldn't be something we avoid. If you teach every person on Earth to think analytically, rather than writing code, you'll have billions of thinkers, and even if they aren't programmers they will build a better society.