Why is coding still not taught in Irish primary schools?

Carnegie · 27-03-2013 11:06PM #1

Its a national disgrace how this is not a mandatory subject from primary school onwards. Yet again we have to wait for the rest of the world to add it to its primary school curriculum before we go "oh hey maybe we should add it too!!!"

Sky King · 27-03-2013 11:06PM

We program our kids with religion instead.

MagicMarker · 27-03-2013 11:08PM

Where we're going, we don't need codes.

Duckworth_Luas · 27-03-2013 11:09PM

I learned the Code in my school! Know the CODE!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEssgMQ1O_k

seven_eleven · 27-03-2013 11:12PM

Mandatory? Hell no, there should be more time spent teaching kids about the real basics of computers first.
Coding should be a optional subject in secondary school.

GetWithIt · 27-03-2013 11:13PM

We do, it's called Maths and English.

Logic and reasoning. Understanding abstract concepts.

There is no such subject as coding.

Gorilla Rising · 27-03-2013 11:13PM

Mandatory? A national disgrace?

Come off it.

It should be optional in secondary school.

Most interest from IT comes from males (I'm sure). A lot of girls (as would some guys) resent it as they do Irish/religion.

It's certainly not for everybody and this is just the latest in a line of lazy attacks on the school system. though not at all perfect, I admit.

CSSE09 · 27-03-2013 11:13PM

If they even brought it in to secondary it'd be a start, can't see that happening any time soon though. If anyone has kids 18 or under and would like to get them involved in programming check this site, http://coderdojo.com/

fullgas · 27-03-2013 11:14PM

You have to learn maths before you can code.

Seachmall · 27-03-2013 11:16PM

Because kids spend enough time banging their heads against walls accidentally without having them do it on purpose in computer class too.

fullgas wrote: »

You have to learn maths before you can code.

LIES! I'm shit at maths.

I'm shit at programming too but I'm like 9b% sure that that's unrelated.

9b%? That's a number, right?

DaveDaRave · 27-03-2013 11:17PM

fullgas wrote: »

You have to learn maths before you can code.

not really

partyatmygaff · 27-03-2013 11:17PM

Probably for the same reason that medicine isn't taught in primary schools.

Carnegie · 27-03-2013 11:19PM

seven_eleven wrote: »

Mandatory? Hell no, there should be more time spent teaching kids about the real basics of computers first.
Coding should be a optional subject in secondary school.

the basics of computers is childs play, they can learn that anytime, they need to be taught coding in primary school when their speed of learning is at its greatest

nocoverart · 27-03-2013 11:19PM

I agree with OP. All these kids need coding for their drink, drug and tobacco addictions, It's getting out of hand

partyatmygaff · 27-03-2013 11:20PM

fullgas wrote: »

You have to learn maths before you can code.

Not always...

HTML markup and web languages wouldn't be too hard to learn even if the only maths you had was basic arithmetic. Maybe as part of a small general "Computers" course teaching how computers and the internet work. You'll give everyone the foundations and those that enjoy the subject can take it further in their own time.

Seachmall · 27-03-2013 11:20PM

Carnegie wrote: »

the basics of computers is childs play

And yet 95% of people have no idea of the basics of computers.

Carnegie · 27-03-2013 11:20PM

fortune wookiee wrote: »

Mandatory? A national disgrace?

Come off it.

It should be optional in secondary school.

Most interest from IT comes from males (I'm sure). A lot of girls (as would some guys) resent it as they do Irish/religion.

It's certainly not for everybody and this is just the latest in a line of lazy attacks on the school system. though not at all perfect, I admit.

its got nothing to do with being interested in it, its to do with the fact that in 30 years time the only jobs going will be coding

morlock_ · 27-03-2013 11:20PM

There are 2 kids from India aged 10 and 12 that have their own company Go Dimensions writing applications for Android and iOS

15,000 Raspberry PI devices were given to school kids in UK.

The countries investing in this technology now will dominate the sector in future hands down.

There's the CoderDojo network but I think this was largely the effort of a few enthusiasts without government support (open to correction)

The education system in Ireland needs modernising, it's outdated by 15-20 years at least.

Seachmall · 27-03-2013 11:22PM

Carnegie wrote: »

its got nothing to do with being interested in it, its to do with the fact that in 30 years time the only jobs going will be coding

What about prostitution? A drug dealing?

Can't have programmers without prostitution and drug dealing!

DaveDaRave · 27-03-2013 11:23PM

the basics of computers = binary and transistors ?

fullgas · 27-03-2013 11:23PM

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Not always...

HTML markup and web languages wouldn't be too hard to learn even if the only maths you had was basic arithmetic. Maybe with something small and general about how computers and the internet work.

Yes you do, all computer code is logic & algebraic formulas.

Pride Fighter · 27-03-2013 11:24PM

It is being done at schools through coderdojo.

Look it up. They're doing great stuff.

shleedance · 27-03-2013 11:24PM

I say make it mandatory. We need more people who are literate to a certain degree in programming. Also, jobs in such fields are lacking a bit at the moment, so we need to make that spark. Even better, incorporate it with maths since there's aspects of that in it too.

Better than nonsense such as religion. I know I would've benefited from it.

Seachmall · 27-03-2013 11:26PM

fullgas wrote: »

Yes you do, all computer code is logic & algebraic formulas.

It really depends on what's you're programming but for the vast majority of stuff anything other than basic maths isn't necessary.

morlock_ · 27-03-2013 11:28PM

fullgas wrote: »

Yes you do, all computer code is logic & algebraic formulas.

I don't think you need to be good at mathematics to program at all. Of course it helps you become a better programmer but it's not a prerequisite.

Algebra might be required to implement a specific algorithm involving encryption for example but a lot of applications don't require any more knowledge than basic arithmetic.

Solair · 27-03-2013 11:28PM

We did coding in primary school - LOGO !

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logo_(programming_language)

Trotter · 27-03-2013 11:28PM

I'm a primary teacher and I've a computers degree. My class will be doing scratch later this month. I haven't time allocated for it but I'm going to squeeze it in anyway. I think it'll do wonders for their problem solving in maths.

Oafley Jones · 27-03-2013 11:28PM

Seachmall wrote: »

What about prostitution? A drug dealing?

Can't have programmers without prostitution and drug dealing!

More security in prostitution, it's a lot harder to outsource to India.

jellie · 27-03-2013 11:28PM

Primary school is too early, you at least need to be able to type & spell first.

Midnight Sundance · 27-03-2013 11:28PM

How would you suggest training all the primary teachers to a sufficient standard in coding? Where would the money come from? The time? And not to mention the resources??
What subject should we drop in order to make time for this? The curriculum is already extremely overloaded.

DaveDaRave · 27-03-2013 11:30PM

Midnight Sundance wrote: »

How would you suggest training all the primary teachers to a sufficient standard in coding? Where would the money come from? The time? And not to mention the resources??
What subject should we drop in order to make time for this? The curriculum is already extremely overloaded.

religion and irish

Why is coding still not taught in Irish primary schools?

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