This topic is probably as old as programming itself, but maybe someone can help me.
I had an opportunity to organize several camps for some pupils (age 14-16). They were pretty good in mathematics and puzzles in general. My job there was to show them why programming (and algorithms) is also pretty decent.
I show them some problems, teach them basic programming skills, but after several years I noticed that the most important thing in teaching such things is showing them why programming is important and why should they learn this. I should sell them not knowledge, but attitude during this week.
Do you have any idea how to convince younger generations why they should start programming? Why did you start? What is convincing you to still solve algorithmic problems?
Happy New Year and thanks in advance for your responses and ideas :)
I think that showing them algorithmic problems is too aggressive, unless your target audience are students that already compete in math competitions.
For a general audience of students, I'd try first to motivate them to learn some programming and play with it. There's a summer program in my university for high school students where they play with visual tools to create games (iirc). The hour of code uses a robot walk as an example. Using something visual like this helps people seeing the results of their work and motivates them to try different things.
After this phase, for those that enjoy programming, I'd show them the 'power' of efficient algorithms. If they don't like it, they can still try to build other kinds of programs.
What I did once was picking a problem like sorting, demonstrate that an algorithm works (e.g. bubble sort) for small inputs and is slow for large ones (let the shell several seconds waiting and kill it). Then, show the speed of an efficient algorithm. It impressed the students and got them engaged.
Yeah, they were more toy-ish problems than algorithmic ones. But still, as I said they were quite good in mathematical contests.
I also started with Hour of Code as example of coding and I have to say that this course made noticeable difference.
I'm a person which doesn't need additional motivation =) However, I never liked informatics until I went to my first camp. I liked it because the problems were challenging, but logical. For me it was enough.
Some of my friends learn to code because "it's a road to stable future with a lot of money". Imo there are far more people who get focused because that, not the programming itself.
We've been developing a good learning process in my school for quite a long time. It seems like we achieve best results when young people teach others under the supervision of experienced ones. Why not ask some participants to prepare a lecture on an easy topic? It would seem much more familiar than an old (:P) IT guy talking about life perspectives
No way. Sex, sport, rock'n'roll are fun, programming isn't.
Instead of convincing people that programming is fun, let them decide for themselves whether it's fun or not. Let's focus on making more people aware what this is.
But if your challenge is to convince people, then i THINK being good at something makes you like it more. So, more and more code camps, with a lot of PR ( "YAY!! WE'RE DOING A FUN CAMP" ). Easy problems for beginners so they think this is right up their arsenal. Essentially, nothing that scares them away. Also, having a teacher is a great reason to not quit. Don't expect beginners to start up on their own. Give them every help they need, and make them feel smart instead of "Oh my god! This is so difficult. I'll probably join another camp"
Just giving the perspective of average IQ, averagely motivated people like me.
PR is really difficult for such camps, but we are trying :3