What Most Schools Don't Teach

Code.org

26 Feb 201305:44

Summary

TLDRThe video script features influential figures from various industries emphasizing the importance of learning to code. It highlights personal stories of how coding has empowered individuals, from creating simple programs to building global empires. The narrative stresses that coding is accessible and not just for geniuses, but a skill that can be learned by anyone with determination. It underscores the ubiquity of technology in every field and the demand for coding skills, concluding with a call to action to learn coding through platforms like Code.org.

Takeaways

💡 Programming is a fundamental skill that teaches critical thinking, according to Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft.
👦 Early exposure to computers and programming is common among tech entrepreneurs, as illustrated by Jack Dorsey of Twitter and Ruchi Sanghvi, the first female engineer at Facebook.
🎓 Learning to code can start with simple projects, like creating a Tic-tac-toe game, as experienced by Drew Houston, the creator of Dropbox.
🌟 The initial motivation for learning to code often stems from a desire to create something fun or useful, rather than mastering the entire discipline.
🎼 Programming is compared to playing an instrument or a sport, suggesting that it becomes less intimidating with practice and time.
🔍 Many coding tasks involve breaking down problems rather than creating complex algorithms, emphasizing the importance of problem-solving skills.
🚀 Determination, not necessarily genius, is what's needed to learn how to code, as highlighted by various successful individuals in the tech industry.
📚 Basic mathematical skills, such as addition and subtraction, are sufficient to start learning to code, as suggested by Tony Hsieh, the former CEO of Zappos.
🌐 Software has transformed various industries, making coding a valuable skill across different sectors, not just in technology.
🏢 Tech companies are eager to hire talented engineers, but there is a shortage of skilled individuals in the field, as noted by Hadi Partovi, the founder of Code.org.
🌟 The ability to create software that can reach millions of people is a unique opportunity for today's generation, offering a sense of empowerment and the potential for significant impact.
🧙‍♂️ Being a programmer in the future will be akin to having magical powers, highlighting the transformative and influential role of coding in society.

Q & A

What did Bill Gates believe about learning to program a computer?
-Bill Gates believed that learning to program a computer teaches you how to think.
At what age did Jack Dorsey first get access to a computer?
-Jack Dorsey was 13 years old when he first got access to a computer.
What significant event happened in Ruchi's life when she was in sixth grade?
-Ruchi learned to code in college, which was a significant event in her life as she later became the first female engineer at Facebook.
What was Drew Houston's first program in his freshman year of college?
-Drew Houston wrote a program that played Tic-tac-toe during his freshman year first semester in an Intro to Computer Science class.
What was the initial purpose of programming for Elena?
-Elena's initial purpose of programming was to make something fun for herself and her sisters.
How did Gabe Newell describe his first experience with programming?
-Gabe Newell described his first experience with programming as astonishing when he made a computer say 'Hello World'.
What is Chris Bosh's perspective on the learning curve of coding?
-Chris Bosh compared learning to code to playing an instrument or a sport, stating that it starts out intimidating but you get the hang of it over time.
What does Makinde believe about the intimidation factor of coding?
-Makinde believes that coding can be intimidating, but so are many other things, implying that intimidation should not be a barrier to learning.
What does Vanessa believe is the essence of coding?
-Vanessa believes that the essence of coding is more about the process of breaking down problems rather than coming up with complicated algorithms.
What does Tony Hsieh emphasize as a requirement for coding?
-Tony Hsieh emphasizes determination as a requirement for coding, suggesting that one does not have to be a genius.
What does Will.I.Am highlight about the importance of coding in various industries?
-Will.I.Am highlights that all industries, including agriculture, entertainment, and manufacturing, have been transformed by software, emphasizing the importance of coding.
What are the incentives provided by Hadi Partovi to attract talented engineers?
-Hadi Partovi provides incentives such as a fantastic chef, free food, laundry, snacks, and recreational facilities like video games and scooters to attract talented engineers.
What does the script suggest about the future of programmers?
-The script suggests that programmers of tomorrow will be like wizards of the future, possessing what is considered the closest thing to a superpower.
What is the current challenge with filling jobs in America related to coding?
-The current challenge is that 1 million of the best jobs in America may go unfilled because only 1 in 4 schools teach students how to code.

Outlines

00:00

💡 Inspirational Beginnings in Coding

This paragraph features influential figures from various industries sharing their first experiences with coding. Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, emphasizes the importance of learning to program as it teaches one how to think. Jack, the creator of Twitter, and Ruchi, Facebook's first female engineer, recount their early encounters with computers and coding. Drew from Dropbox and Elena from Clothia.com describe their initial forays into programming, highlighting the simplicity and joy of creating something from scratch. Gabe from Valve and Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's founder, express the astonishment of making a computer respond for the first time. The paragraph concludes with Chris, an NBA All-Star who coded in college, comparing coding to learning an instrument or sport, suggesting that it becomes less intimidating with practice. Each story illustrates the accessible and empowering nature of coding, regardless of one's background or profession.

05:03

🚀 The Urgency of Coding Education

The second paragraph addresses the critical shortage of coding education in American schools and its impact on the job market. It states that 1 million top jobs in the U.S. may remain unfilled due to the lack of coding skills among students, as only one in four schools offer coding classes. The paragraph encourages individuals, regardless of their career aspirations, to explore coding classes at their schools or online platforms like Code.org. It also calls for sharing the message to raise awareness about the importance of coding education. The urgency is underscored by the potential of coding to open up a world of opportunities and to prepare students for the technologically driven future of work.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Programming

Programming is the process of writing instructions for a computer to execute, enabling it to perform specific tasks. It is central to the video's theme, emphasizing its importance in teaching logical thinking and problem-solving. For instance, Bill, who created Microsoft, suggests that 'Everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer... because it teaches you how to think.'

💡Computer Science

Computer Science is the study of computers and computational systems, encompassing programming, algorithms, and data structures. The video highlights the foundational role of computer science in modern innovation, as illustrated by Ruchi, the first female engineer at Facebook, who learned to code in college during her 'Intro to Computer Science' class.

💡Algorithm

An algorithm is a set of steps or rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations. While not explicitly mentioned, the concept is implied in discussions about problem-solving and the simplicity of coding, as noted by Makinde, an early Facebook engineer, who suggests that coding is more about breaking down problems than creating complicated algorithms.

💡Empowering

The term 'empowering' refers to giving someone authority or autonomy to do something. In the context of the video, programming is described as an empowering skill, as it allows individuals to create and implement solutions, as stated by HADI, the creator of Code.Org, who believes that 'Computer programming is an incredibly empowering skill to learn.'

💡Innovation

Innovation is the process of translating an idea or invention into a good or service that creates value or for which customers will pay. The video underscores the innovative potential of programming, with examples like Mark creating Facebook and Drew creating Dropbox, showing how programming can lead to groundbreaking inventions.

💡Determination

Determination is the firmness of purpose or resolve. Vanessa, who created Girl Develop IT, emphasizes that to learn to code, one does not have to be a genius but rather needs to be determined, suggesting that persistence and effort are key to mastering programming.

💡Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is the ability to analyze a situation and find a solution. The video script repeatedly touches on this concept, indicating that coding is fundamentally about breaking down and solving problems, as mentioned by Makinde and others, who stress that coding is more about the process than the complexity of algorithms.

💡Education

Education refers to the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. The video highlights the importance of educational opportunities in coding, with Will.I.Am discussing the lack of coding classes in schools and the need to learn online at Code.org.

💡Technology

Technology encompasses the tools, systems, and methods used to create and manage products and services. The script discusses the pervasive influence of technology in various sectors, from agriculture to entertainment, and the necessity of understanding it through coding.

💡Wizards of the Future

This phrase is used metaphorically to describe programmers, suggesting that their ability to create and manipulate digital environments will seem magical to others. It is used by an unnamed speaker in the video to illustrate the extraordinary capabilities that come with programming skills.

💡Rock Stars

The term 'Rock Stars' is used to describe the high status and recognition that great programmers can achieve in society. It is used by an unnamed speaker to draw a parallel between the admiration for musicians and the potential admiration for programmers, indicating the cultural impact of coding.

Highlights

Bill Gates emphasizes the importance of learning to program as it teaches you how to think.

Jack Dorsey shares his first encounter with a computer at age 13, which was pivotal for his later creation of Twitter.

Ruchi Sanghvi, the first female engineer at Facebook, began coding in college after receiving a Macintosh in 1984.

Drew Houston's first program in college was a Tic-tac-toe game, which he created during his freshman year.

Elena Silenok's initial coding experience involved creating simple shapes and colors on the screen.

Gabe Newell from Valve recalls the astonishment of making a computer display 'Hello World' for the first time.

Mark Zuckerberg's coding journey started with a simple desire to create something fun for himself and his sisters.

Chris Bosh, an NBA All-Star, discusses the process of learning to code in college, comparing it to learning an instrument.

Makinde Ade-Omowale, an early Facebook engineer, assures that coding is learnable despite its intimidating reputation.

Vanessa Hurst, founder of Girl Develop IT, explains that coding is more about problem-solving than complex algorithms.

Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, believes that determination, not genius, is key to learning how to code.

Bronwen Gresty, a technical artist at Valve, suggests that basic math skills are sufficient to start coding.

Will.I.Am, musician and founder of The Black Eyed Peas, is taking coding classes to understand the impact of software on various industries.

Hadi Partovi, founder of Code.org, highlights the need for more trained engineers due to a shortage of skilled professionals.

Code.org promotes the empowerment that comes with learning to code, whether for financial success or world change.

The transcript suggests that the ability to code will make programmers seem like they possess magical powers in the future.

Great coders are likened to today's rock stars, indicating the high demand and admiration for their skills.

The transcript warns that 1 million jobs in America may go unfilled due to the lack of coding education in schools.

Code.org encourages everyone, regardless of their aspirations, to explore coding classes and learn online.