Let’s Think About This….

I read an interesting article the other day and I decided to give the issue more consideration. The article addresses Florida’s State Bill 104, which proposes that high school computer coding classes should become acceptable to meet foreign language requirements. Other states are considering similar legislation as part of a broader effort to improve computer science education for K-12 students (Nevadomski Berdan, 2014). Supporters say that high schools should prepare students for the job market. Opponents argue that this legislation is minimizing the importance of language arts (Clark, 2017).

Senator Jeff Brandes proposed SB 104 and it has passed through Florida’s senate. Based on my research, Senator Brandes does not have a strong record for supporting educational agendas and has not served as an educator. The Florida Chamber of Commerce and Disney are the biggest supporters of this legislation and have multiple lobbyists to ensure that SB 104 is approved (Clark, 2017).

Opponents of this legislation claim that there are several benefits from studying a foreign language. Studies show that students who learn a foreign language have higher academic achievements. Other studies indicate that students who learn a foreign language have sharper mental skills when they get older (Kibler & Philipose, n.d.).

Alberto Carvalho, is a credible opponent to this legislation. He is the superintendent of the Maimi-Dade school district and he is highly regarded as an educator and as a superintendent. He was named as the 2014 National Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). As a side note, I came across his name three times this week while I was researching of topics such as potential Secretary of Education candidates and the Future of Education Technology Conference (http://www.fetc.org/). Carvalho provides a logical objection to this legislation and says that computer coding and foreign languages aren’t substitutes for one another. The choice for students should not be between coding or a foreign language. Students should have opportunities to study both subjects (Clark, 2017). In my opinion, legislators and lobbyists should focus on providing more opportunities to students rather than trying to consolidate existing studies to meet graduation requirements. If this legislation passes in Florida, students may face more challenges getting accepted into out of state colleges that require students to have two-three years of foreign language studies in high school.

 

References:

Clark, K., (2017, February 5). Computer coding as a foreign language? Florida lawmakers again push the idea. Miami Herald. Retrieved from http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article130772249.html

 

Nevadomski Berdan, S., (2014, April 22). Computer Science Is Not a Foreign Language.  Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stacie-nevadomski-berdan/computer-science-is-not-a_b_4823691.html

 

Kibler, A & Philipose, S. (n.d.). What the Research Shows. American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Retrieved from https://www.actfl.org/advocacy/what-the-research-shows#academic_achievement

 

Carvalho, A. Retrieved February 07, 2017 from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberto_M._Carvalho

Let's Make it Better!

The internet has been a valuable tool since from the very beginning but like all tools, it’s time to “sharpen” the internet. If done correctly, we can enhance the positive aspects of the internet while removing the negative aspects such as hacking, malware, identity theft, spam, copyright infringements, and fraud (Barzilay, 2016). These negative aspects are costly for businesses, create social problems for users, and detract from the positive aspects of the internet. Trying to reform the existing internet would be impossible so the most reasonable option is to create a new internet. Without reform, the internet will continue to grow, while remaining virtually unregulated, and businesses will be forced to continue to invest large sums for cybersecurity.

The idea for a new internet has been around for some time. Imagine an internet that was designed to share information and communicate with others using the most efficient and secure methods. Users would have a better sense of security because all users, and their devices, would be positively identified by their internet access providers. Users would have to adhere to a code of conduct and access providers could quickly block any users that violate the standards of conduct.

Technology is at a point where a new internet could be developed using wireless technology. The current version of the internet would remain and users could divide their time between both systems. The current version of the internet could retain some commercial, entertainment, and social applications. The reinvented internet would be used primarily for educational purposes but it would also have commercial applications to ensure that the new network continues to growth. If the right companies and academic institutions join together, a second-generation internet is possible.

 

Reference:

Barzilay, M., (2016) Building a brand-new Internet, Crunch Network. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2016/03/13/building-a-brand-new-internet/