The Hour of Code has come up as a topic of conversation a few times recently in my daily routines. The ‘Hour of Code’ is a nationwide idea (by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org) to introduce people to coding and programming. It’s a great concept and I suspect will be a great help as we keep moving forward in terms of the technologies of the future. It is essentially an event that will be held world wide to introduce people to the world of coding.
A Worthy Goal
The chief aim of an hour of code, it would seem to me, is to introduce new people to programming and prime new generations to idea of coding and creation outside of the normal physical creation patterns. Growing up it is common for children to be introduced to paint, pencils, paper, and other physical mediums of creation canvases. But, if you were born in a generation where programming and applications where not part of daily life, you might not even be able to introduce this path to the future generations. This is not your fault, but it would seem coding and programming is here to stay. The Hour of Code is a great concept to introduce the concept of programming to new generations where their older influencers might not be able to (experience wise or socio economically). This could give a needed introduction to a new minds that could transform or even push forward our advancements in technology. As with any skill or ability some take excel more than others in various areas. This might help expose a new mind to a place where they naturally excel.
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Time Boxing – the difficulty of the task
As a programmer and thinking about the task of an our of code, this is no easy undertaking. Each language has a base to learn. Even as I think about how to explain this the complexity makes my head to circles. I’ve been thinking about a good analogy for a few minutes now. Here is the best description that I can think of… off the cuff. Teaching a new person about programming is like acquainting a person with new world. You need to find concepts that they are familiar with and relate them to the new world that you are trying to introduce. There are laws that can’t be broken. Not the kind of laws that come with punishment but laws that ensure that things actually work and don’t “fall apart”. One these are understood then you need to teach the person how to use concepts together cohesively so that they work in the way they are designed. If you are going to truly understand and be able to create in the programming head space you need to have the appropriate experience in hours and taking your lumps and stumbles.
I don’t think that the Hour of Code will be able to accomplish this in the time allotted. However, it should be able to guide very large groups of people through examples of how things are done. This would be much like taking a person on a guided tour of a forrest. You will be able to see the great sights and experience the space, but you should probably not be left along in the middle of the tour. This being said if you have the curiosity and the time, I would highly recommend trying to participate in the event. You might find a new area for your mind where you can excel where you never thought that you could, and although the Hour of Code is currently planned for certain days the intention is that it will live on (and hopefully help people keep learning)
Worried About Having the right Equipment?
If your interested in participating with your family (as this is mainly aimed towards children) check out the following map. I would also urge you to not just think of this as child’s play. If your interested in programming but have never taken the time or have not had the opportunity I would urge you to attend. You might be the mind that some company or innovation has been waiting for to help push towards the future!