4 chapters across the catalog
An article in PC Magazine argues that initiatives like Code.org are primarily designed to sell more hardware to schools rather than improve education. Critics suggest that the American curriculum is being "dumbed down" while students remain unable to perform basic geography. The focus on coding is seen as a distraction from declining test scores in science, technology, engineering, and math.
The hosts conclude by discussing the disruptive power of podcasting and the internet, which have destroyed traditional business models for newspapers and music. They encourage listeners to support the show's independent analysis before signing off from FEMA Region 6 and Northern Silicon Valley.
The "Hour of Code" campaign, backed by Code.org and celebrities like Ashton Kutcher and Shakira, encourages students to learn computer programming. President Obama appears in a promotional video for the initiative, which is integrated into the Common Core curriculum.
Massachusetts and New York are seeing pushback against Common Core implementation from school principals and boards. The hosts also highlight privacy concerns regarding Code.org, an initiative backed by Mark Zuckerberg, alleging that the platform collects and repurposes student data. They conclude by recommending homeschooling as an alternative to "slave training" institutions.
