Gates, Zuckerberg: Kids, learn to code VS A Silicon Valley School That Doesn’t Compute

I know it's not part of the assignment, but reading  Gates, Zuckerberg: Kids, learn to code I was instantly reminded to an article I read in my Frontiers of Communications class A Silicon Valley School That Doesn’t Compute  and I had to compare and contrast the radically different views expressed in these articles.

While "Kids, Learn to code" is suggesting that we are not requiring students to learn to program, the result being that "the United States is lagging behind other countries in developing future software engineers."

However "A Silicon Valley School That Doesn't Compute" suggests that such technologies inhibit creative ability when introduced at an early age. Instead, they prefer to have their students learn programming and other things from their technologically advanced parents, most of whom are directly tied to major electronics companies like Apple and Microsoft.

While creative ability doesn't translate directly into programming talent, it's interesting that executives at these similar companies subscribe to dramatically views in the introduction of technology to students.

Personally, I believe that a mix of both are required. While learning to program is a skill I believe everyone should possess because it teaches logical thinking, basic mathematics and organization skills, I also believe that allowing a computer to consume you is a trap. As someone who myself longs to live in the worlds I create myself, I sometimes feel myself detached from reality, even when I am the one creating the consuming environment.

So I believe that programming is important, but perhaps it should be taught after the creativity is fostered in children. Because a programmer/techie/nerd without imagination, is going to have a tough time succeeding.