311- Jeremy Keeshin on Read Write Code: A Friendly Introduction to World of Coding

Today Tom is sitting down virtually to speak with Jeremy Keeshin, about his new book, Read Write Code: A Friendly Introduction to the World of Coding and Why It’s the New Literacy.

Jeremy has been an innovator from an early age and co-founded CodeHS back in 2012 when he was just graduating from Stanford University with a BS in Computer Science. CodeHS is an online coding education platform that helps schools teach computer science to high school students. Jeremy is an advocate for continuous learning, focusing on emerging technologies, and providing free access to education for all high schoolers.

In this episode, Jeremy speaks about his book, Read Write Code, the many benefits of learning to code, why it might be the new literacy, and whether or not students should still be thinking about going to college. He also speaks about the many opportunities that learning coding provides, what CodeHS offers educators and schools, how the rise of A.I. and machine learning is changing what should be taught to students in high school, and advice for students interested in pursuing a career in computer science.

Key Takeaways:

[:00] About Project Unicorn.

[:33] About today’s episode with Jeremy Keeshin

[1:13] Tom welcomes Jeremy to the podcast!

[2:02] When did Jeremy originally get hooked on coding?

[3:10] Did Jeremy always know that he wanted to focus on computer science?

[3:47] Jeremy speaks a bit about his experience studying Computer Science at Stanford University.

[5:18] How, why, and when Jeremy started his company, CodeHS.

[5:49] Jeremy explains what CodeHS is.

[6:51] About CodeHS’s business model.

[7:18] What teachers and administrators get in the premium offering that CodeHS offers.

[7:49] Why they offer free programming through CodeHS.

[9:07] Why what CodeHS offers is so invaluable to so many teachers and schools.

[10:15] For students with a deep interest in computer science, what courses should they take in high school?

[12:46] What programming languages would Jeremy recommend students focus on?

[14:14] Is coding the new literacy or is it just a vocational skill?

[17:32] What coding looks like at the elementary level and the best long-term way of teaching programming in a sustainable way for students.

[18:55] How the rise of A.I. and machine learning in every sector of the economy has changed what we should teach students in high school.

[21:57] Computer science is moving really quickly. How can we give students advice about what careers might be attractive to them and what they should be learning in high school? And how can we help teachers and counselors stay up-to-date on this knowledge?

[24:07] Should students go to college for coding with so many great resources online?

[26:17] Tom plugs Jeremy’s fantastic book, Read Write Code: A Friendly Introduction to the World of Coding and Why It’s the New Literacy.

[26:39] Who should read Jeremy’s book?

[26:56] Why secondary teachers would really benefit from reading Jeremy’s book.

[27:33] With things moving so fast, how does Jeremy keep up and continually learn?

[28:36] Tom thanks Jeremy for joining the podcast!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Project Unicorn

Jeremy Keeshin

Jeremy Keeshin’s Twitter

CodeHS

Read Write Code: A Friendly Introduction to the World of Coding and Why It’s the New Literacy, by Jeremy Keeshin

JavaScript

Python

Coding in the Wild

Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 138: “AI4All Extends the Power of Artificial Intelligence to High School Girls”

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