Future proofing computational know how
Reading this article online today “Why Python is not the programming language of the future” by Rhea Moutafis suggested new programming language was being developed that would supersede it. Programmes like Rust, Go and Julia.
This read was a reminder for me of how important it is to remember to teach the fundamentals of computational thinking, i.e. Input, Output, Sequence, Selection, Iteration, Variables rather than teaching how to code in a specific programme. This was something that was really brought home to me last December when I attended the DT4HS | Pou Rarama at Canterbury. It’s all very well teaching students how to code with programmes like Scratch but if we’re not including the basics of computer programming, students will struggle to see the relevance when we want them to transfer those skills to other programming languages.
Bell, Duncan, & Rainer, (2017) recommend teachers aim to deliberately build computational fundamentals into lessons. Encouraging students to find commonalities between different programming languages helps them identify with the constructs of computer programming. This approach will help to future-proof students understanding when they come up against new programming languages. Furthermore, if we can foster students with a growth Mindset Dweck, (2008) they should not be fazed when the next new Python appears on the block in the years to come.
As a side note, I had no idea that Python was named after the Monty Python Series and not a Python snake so often depicted as a representative image. As it turns out Python’s original developer, Guido van Rossum was a fan of the TV series back in the 1970’s and hence adopted the name to represent an experiment of many things.
References:
Bell, T., Duncan, C., & Rainer, A. (2017). What is coding?. In Creating the Coding Generation in Primary Schools (pp. 3-21). Routledge.
Dweck, C (2008). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (New York, NY, Ballantine).
Erik Barendsen. Computer Science Education (p. 53). Bloomsbury Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Moutafis, R, (2020) Why Python is not the programming language of the future. Sourced: 12/04/2020: https://towardsdatascience.com/why-python-is-not-the-programming-language-of-the-future-30ddc5339b66
Guido van Rossum Sourced:14.04.2020: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guido_van_Rossum
Image sourced: https://www.flickr.com/photos/clintjcl/200483735
