Discussion | Coding and robotics in schools

[@sibulindo1635]

I've been teaching my kids coding and robotics for 3 years its very interesting and challenging the learners are very interested in a subject they have a clear understanding of their future. it is important to equip the learners for future my learners have already started to understand that coding comes with a language for example python they are now using python as their programming language.

[@shaunparsons3659]

Coding and robotics are skills that are in need today. AI (artificial intelligence) skills are the skills that are required for "tomorrow", as AI will be designing and coding "tomorrow". Schools should however expose pupils to many different learning experiences so that individuals can then find what they they are good at, what they are passionate about, and then will themselves make it their life's work becoming an expert in the field they have identified with.

[@pk1710]

a good time to prioritize and get students ready. May take some time, but good to start the journey. change has to be a process and the outcomes should evolve

[@emisto9sakina398]

Talking about coding and robotics however 89.9% of South African government school doesn't have computer access 🙄

[@saamstaan6540]

With a 30% pass rate, we'll soon have thousands of programmers that don't know how to use a gate remote,and they'll all be very upset if they don't get work.

[@LM-to5qb]

I wonder why you are so negative?

[@saamstaan6540]

@@LM-to5qb I'm not negative,I'm realistic.

[@LM-to5qb]

@@saamstaan6540 your realisticism without optimism is not helping.

[@saamstaan6540]

@@LM-to5qb how can you be optimistic about a 33% pass rate?

[@LM-to5qb]

@@saamstaan6540 so all in all you say "no" coding for the youth of this country

[@NonhlahlaZulu-tl3xk]

this is what i do at school

[@thomasschulz7177]

I think this whole drive into coding and robotics is not thought through. To think that learners will be able to code AI robots after this is as naiv as thinking all learners in the world can become world renowned artist because they have had creative arts during grade R to 9, or building sand castles make you and architect. There are other skills needed in order to learn to code. Like math and linguistic skills are needed in order to code. I shutter at the thought of who is going to teach these skills. I am an IT teacher who absolutely loves coding, but it needs a well skilled and competent teacher to teach an emensly difficult subject. What I agree with though is to introduce the concepts of coding such as logic, problem solving, mathematics, seeing the bigger picture, etc. To learners and to then identify who have what it takes to go further. It is an illusion to think that every can do it. We have to come to grips with the fact that it is OK that not all can do it. Had nothing to do with IQ.

[@cccmmm1234]

Average IQ of good programmers is 120. Average IQ in South Africa is about 70. If you can't even fill potholes then forget about programming.

[@LM-to5qb]

I wonder why you are so negative!

[@cccmmm1234]

@@LM-to5qb if you think being positive and ignoring problems will fix them then carry on. Remember that's how all the potholes and Eskom happened by being positive and ignoring reality.

[@AshleyRajam]

How is it unequal? Don't those EC educators have education degrees? Whats unequal? I went to a government school, and learned from mostly intelligent educators. Many of my own educators were not intelligent/knowledgeable even though they had degrees, which is the problem in these rural schools, their educators are the problem.

[@AshleyRajam]

What's unequal is an educator with a degree he/she obtained by passing with a 60% average at university. This person will be 60% efficient at teaching the next generation. Don't expect their students to obtain exceptional results.

[@Naged494]

if i could upload a video... i could solve your coding and education challenges

[@AshleyRajam]

To learn to code, one must learn a minimum of 80% of the coding language in order to pass the international exam. South African's have been conditioned to 40%, so they will fail to learn the coding language and blame the English language and "Western education."

[@AshleyRajam]

To be realistic, introducing coding and robotics to a school system where educators themselves haven't figured out the importance of computers... Lol, have you figured out the problem with the education system?

[@martvn5292]

What DID GOD SAY ABOUT TECHNOLOGY. YOU PEOPLE ARE ALL LOST