Based on the article, programming should be part of the school curriculum because it helps bring students together. Any type of activity that brings students together naturally and allows them to collaborate on their own is a good program.
“In addition, groups of youth had begun working collaboratively together to create projects with a group name, such as “DGMM,” for the Dang Good Money Makers” (Kafai, Peppler, and Chiu).
What
are the barriers to implementing programming in schools?
Funding is one of the barriers as it
is to all programs. If there is no money
there is no program. Generally if low
income areas are provided resources they are the bottom of the barrel resources.
“If members of low-income and
minority communities gain access to new technologies, they are introduced in
such a way that neglects to take the local context into consideration, and are
often presented in such ways that reinforce rote learning activities rather
than cognitively demanding activities” (Kafai, Peppler, and Chiu).
How can barriers to implementing
programming in schools be overcome?
Funding, funding, funding! Funding is the
key because it provides the means for buying materials and hiring help.
“Fortunately, recent legislation
has reappropriated funding to further these efforts, thus establishing CTCs as
a fixture in the landscape of technology access” (Kafai, Peppler, and Chiu).).
I agree that funding would make a traditional implementation of programing into schools difficult. But I believe that technology itself can help overcome this restriction with video conferencing classrooms and lessons that are prepared for computer based classes.
ReplyDeleteI like your focus on how the game design after school program supported collaboration! Again, this is an important skill for the 21st century work place!
ReplyDeleteI liked your focus on collaboration. I looked more into the programs and focus of media literate. I am glad that you pointed out about the collaboration. Students learn so much from each other when they are able to work together and combine their knowledge to solve a problem.
ReplyDeleteNext part - FUNDING! That is the biggest issue with incorporating so much in the educational systems. Not to mention as soon as they do get the funding they products become out of date.