tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362250429212141599.post7821661480418169569..comments2024-01-31T09:56:55.642+00:00Comments on One Week Wonder: The Duplo®code FallacySnialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18339375292327879363noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362250429212141599.post-12214474486158315782013-03-15T21:12:48.146+00:002013-03-15T21:12:48.146+00:00The complexity is a big hurdle. Anyone can install...The complexity is a big hurdle. Anyone can install development software on their PC and teach themselves how to code. But that's like saying anyone can build their own car by sticking some metal together and learning to weld.<br /><br />While we might not like the Duplo-style of "programming" that is currently the fad, it is at least making kids more aware of the concept that they too can make their computer do things and that it's not an appliance that comes sealed like their XBox.<br /><br />We need to work hard to eradicate the dumbed-down thinking that has slowly infected the general population's brains. You know the kind - "Oh yeah lol I clicked a button and now I have viruses... oh well whatever" or "I couldn't find the Internet after you put that Firefox thing on so I had to make a new Hotmail and now all my emails are gone". That low level total non-understanding of what a computer even is.<br /><br />They totally do think it's a microwave and have just as much interest in its workings.<br /><br />Until we sort that mess out we'll never have a new generation of skilled programmers. I'm a secondary school teacher, I'm also a programmer and general computer nerd (after writing this I'm off to mess about configuring a mailserver for fun)... this seems to be a rare combination.<br /><br />Mind you, this is the first time in six years I've actually been able to teach programming. Until now it's been good old ICT.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07131489018085848559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362250429212141599.post-32872029992283432112012-02-17T21:35:30.197+00:002012-02-17T21:35:30.197+00:00Came across this after reading your original post ...Came across this after reading your original post about Xubuntu on G3. I agree with the post. I learned to program on a ZX-81 (1K) and BBC Micro. I totally agree that the 'O' Level in Computer Studies simply gave us time to do more of what we enjoyed... Programming. Spot on. To show my son programming I loaded a ZX emulator onto my PC. Sad ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362250429212141599.post-75519997008589901612011-10-13T17:28:07.493+01:002011-10-13T17:28:07.493+01:00Sure. Reconceptualising the computer as an applian...Sure. Reconceptualising the computer as an appliance was a conscious shift in the 80s.<br /><br />http://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?story=The_Father_of_The_Macintosh.txt<br /><br />And important too, because historically they were frighteningly hard for ordinary people to use. And now we're starting to see that the metaphor doesn't solve all the problems: we need people to see beyond the appliance so they'll be able to understand and so define its future.<br /><br />-cheers from julzSnialhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18339375292327879363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362250429212141599.post-9868239656046269032011-10-13T12:36:54.955+01:002011-10-13T12:36:54.955+01:00Indeed. Perhaps the main issue is that many young ...Indeed. Perhaps the main issue is that many young people see their computer as a domestic appliance, They would no more need (or want) to program their computer than they would their washing machine.Martin Callaghanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421359124769277507noreply@blogger.com