<div dir="ltr"><div>That article has exposed a hidden side which is difficult for outsiders to see.  It's changed my whole perspective on the matter.  We shouldn't use children...ever.</div><div> </div><div>Mike</div>

</div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On 11 February 2014 10:28, Alain Williams <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:addw@phcomp.co.uk" target="_blank">addw@phcomp.co.uk</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div>On Tue, Feb 11, 2014 at 09:11:43AM +0000, M Fernandes wrote:<br>
> I too had the same thoughts when I was trying to show my young girls the<br>
> rudimentaries of programming.  I showed them the "hello world" program<br>
> (Python) and I was surprised at how curious they became.  It's all about<br>
> how you present the concept to them.  I'm not an expert, not by a long<br>
> shot, but, that was my attempt to help them understand.  One of my<br>
> daughters has asked me for that program again, so, I've had partial<br>
> success!!  :-)<br>
><br>
> Incidentally, I've just come across this article:<br>
> <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/get-coding-people-its-the-new-mandarin-and-its-not-just-children-who-can-learn-how-to-do-it-9117071.html" target="_blank">http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/get-coding-people-its-the-new-mandarin-and-its-not-just-children-who-can-learn-how-to-do-it-9117071.html</a>.<br>


>  I think she has been let down by the PR machine, which, I suspect, is<br>
> currently engaged combating the negative press surrounding flooding.<br>
> Wasn't the gist of her message correct though?<br>
<br>
</div>It is talked about in el Reg today:<br>
<br>
    <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/02/11/coding_in_schools_madness/" target="_blank">http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/02/11/coding_in_schools_madness/</a><br>
<br>
I commented:<br>
<br>
    Would they appoint as head of the English Tourist Board someone who had<br>
    never been to the country or even seen a map ? Of course not. However: the<br>
    numpties who appointed her are so clueless that they could not understand<br>
    that having some understanding and insight is necessary.<br>
<div class="im HOEnZb"><br>
--<br>
Alain Williams<br>
Linux/GNU Consultant - Mail systems, Web sites, Networking, Programmer, IT Lecturer.<br>
<a href="tel:%2B44%20%280%29%20787%20668%200256" value="+447876680256">+44 (0) 787 668 0256</a>  <a href="http://www.phcomp.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.phcomp.co.uk/</a><br>
Parliament Hill Computers Ltd. Registration Information: <a href="http://www.phcomp.co.uk/contact.php" target="_blank">http://www.phcomp.co.uk/contact.php</a><br>
#include <std_disclaimer.h><br>
<br>
</div><div class="HOEnZb"><div class="h5">_______________________________________________<br>
Watford mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:Watford@mailman.lug.org.uk">Watford@mailman.lug.org.uk</a><br>
<a href="https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/watford" target="_blank">https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/watford</a><br>
</div></div></blockquote></div><br></div>