School: Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Science and CODING

Posted By on February 28, 2013

The United States spends more on education than any other country in the world. Is the money we invest in our children focused on teaching the correct disciplines?

codelogoPersonally, I’m glad to have had math and science pushed during the space race of the 1960’s (thank you JFK) and the opportunity study engineering and technology in college (by choice). With my two kids just finalizing their education, I can tell you that they were not required to learn coding or anything beyond typing on a computer. There were optional classes, but a quick look at the graph below makes me believe “coding” should be started early and is crucial for all students throughout their schooling. Computers and associated devices are not going away and coding is becoming a critical skill for the decades ahead … and essential in order to keep the U.S. innovative industries competitive.

Code.orgstats-380x266

Check out Code.org and make your voice heard.
Online tutorials:
Codecademy
Interactive tutorials teach JavaScript, Python, Ruby, HTML, and more
Scratch (from MIT)
The most popular coding platform for kids (even elementary school)
KhanAcademy
Interactive JavaScript tutorials
CodeHS
Interactive tutorials to learn JavaScript
Mozilla Thimble
Learn to make HTML Web pages
Treehouse
Online tutorials ($$ required)
 

Apps that teach coding:
  • CargoBot (iPad only)
  • Robo Logic (iPhone, iPad)
  • Move the Turtle (iPhone, iPad)
  • Comments

    Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

    1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
    2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
    My Desultory Blog