[FRIAM] coding versus music

Edward Angel angel at cs.unm.edu
Fri Jan 29 19:21:42 EST 2021


The term “computational thinking” incorporates all the points you brought up. 

Ed
_______________________

Ed Angel

Founding Director, Art, Research, Technology and Science Laboratory (ARTS Lab)
Professor Emeritus of Computer Science, University of New Mexico

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> On Jan 29, 2021, at 3:49 PM, Tom Johnson <tom at jtjohnson.com> wrote:
> 
> And I would gently suggest (not argue) that before ""algorithmic thinking" we should teach systems thinking/analysis: what will be the system in question and its defined boundaries, what the variables/agents within the system, the input/output relationships between those variables under what context/conditions, how do we measure change in the system and is the system capable of "learning," i.e. adapting to internal and external changes in its environment.  
> 
> With these steps we can start to discuss algorithms.  So there!  Harump!
> TJ
> 
> 
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> 
> On Fri, Jan 29, 2021 at 3:00 PM George Duncan <gtduncan at gmail.com <mailto:gtduncan at gmail.com>> wrote:
> I certainly agree with Ed. Coding does indeed suggest the final stage for a particular language--should that colon instead be on a semi-colon. I would, though, argue for  "algorithmic thinking" rather than "computational thinking".
> 
> George Duncan
> Emeritus Professor of Statistics, Carnegie Mellon University
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> My art theme: Dynamic exposition of the tension between matrix order and luminous chaos.
> 
> "Attempt what is not certain. Certainty may or may not come later. It may then be a valuable delusion."
> From "Notes to myself on beginning a painting" by Richard Diebenkorn. 
> "It's that knife-edge of uncertainty where we come alive to our truest power." Joanna Macy.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Wed, Jan 27, 2021 at 2:53 PM Edward Angel <angel at cs.unm.edu <mailto:angel at cs.unm.edu>> wrote:
> Going back to Dave’s original post, to me a big part of the issue is what is meant by “coding.” Unfortunately for manys in CS education, coding has come to refer only to the very last step in a complex process; namely, converting a final detailed set of instructions into computer code for a particular computer language. This is especially true of what as happened in the schools with programs that claim to teach coding and STEM. It’s why many of us prefer to use the term “computational thinking” when dealing with CS education.
> 
> If coding is just the final step (which could be replaced by a machine, if not now but soon) then it would be orthogonal to all these other skills.
> 
> Ed
> _______________________
> 
> Ed Angel
> 
> Founding Director, Art, Research, Technology and Science Laboratory (ARTS Lab)
> Professor Emeritus of Computer Science, University of New Mexico
> 
> 1017 Sierra Pinon
> Santa Fe, NM 87501
> 505-984-0136 (home)		 	angel at cs.unm.edu <mailto:angel at cs.unm.edu>
> 505-453-4944 (cell) 				http://www.cs.unm.edu/~angel <http://www.cs.unm.edu/~angel>
> 
>> On Jan 27, 2021, at 10:41 AM, Prof David West <profwest at fastmail.fm <mailto:profwest at fastmail.fm>> wrote:
>> 
>> For a while now there has been a huge push to teach kids how to code. Ostensibly because it enhances skills like language, logic, and math; plus, "computer literacy" is essential in a world filled with computers.
>> 
>> A study at MIT suggests that coding skill is orthogonal to reading skill and has little, if any, influence on development of logic/math skills.
>> 
>> An article in the Journal of Neuroscience argues that if you want to increase the "skills and brainpower" of kids you should teach them music.
>> 
>> I came across this information peripherally and have not read the specific research reported on. I want the reports to be accurate representation of the research because it confirms long held biases against the value of "computational thinking" and computer science as a fundamental knowledge domain.
>> 
>> dave west
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