Learning to Code vs Learning Computer Science

Re:Learning to Code vs Learning Computer Science by analog31 on Sunday February 09, 2014 @10:20AM (#7205765)

As a musician and a scientist, I wonder if music and art are better analogies than science? And what if we had the luxury to teach some things in school just because they're interesting and fun? Isn't that why most of us learned programming?

When kids learn music, they typically start out by playing an instrument, or singing. Teachers are comfortable letting theory be taught later, if ever. Even the dilemma of what programming language to teach is analogous to what instrument a kid will choose.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Learning to Code vs Learning Computer Science by randomsearch on Monday February 10, 2014 @11:52AM (#7212042)

> As a musician and a scientist, I wonder if music and art are better analogies than science? And what if we had the luxury to teach some things in school just because they're interesting and fun? Isn't that why most of us learned programming?

I agree that Computer Science is not a science. It does contain elements of science, but on the whole it is an inter-disciplinary subject.

Rather than compare programming to music or art, I would compare it to craft. The difference being that programming is mostly done with a practical end-use in mind. It's more like being a stone mason or a goldsmith.

[ Parent | on HN ]