Is Coding the New Second Language?

Is Coding the New Second Language? | Innovation | Smithsonian:

Coding is a skill that is more and more valuable in the digital age.  There are a number of individuals and institutions who want to make coding qualify academically as a second language.  This would mean that you could have the choice of taking coding classes instead of the traditional foreign language credit classes like Spanish or French.  There are several arguments for and against this movement.

• Read the following articles about this movement to make coding qualify as an alternative language credit.  

Should Coding be the "New Foreign Language" Requirement?

Is Coding the Language of the Digital Age?

Coding Can’t and Shouldn’t Replace Foreign Language Requirements

Coding as a second language? Kentucky jockeys to be next to join the movement

Coding is a New Language for all 6th Graders in Minnesota School District

Is the best second language Java, Python, or Ruby?

• What are your thoughts on this issue in general?

• What do you think are the strongest arguments for and against coding as a language credit (from the articles above)?

• Do you think coding should (or should not) be allowed to replace foreign languages as a credit?  Why?

No-makeup selfies campaign generates windfall for cancer research

No-makeup selfies campaign generates £2m windfall for cancer research | Media | The Guardian:

It started with a row at the Oscars, featured the current obsession with "selfies" and rapidly clogged up legions of Facebook streams. Tens of thousands of women, egged on by their friends, shared pictures of themselves without makeup to raise awareness of breast cancer.
By Friday the viral trend had transformed into a fundraising phenomenon, generating a £2m windfall for Cancer Research UK.

'via Blog this'

• What do you think of this spontaneous social media campaign?  
• Do you think social media is a viable way to raise money for charities?  
• Are there other ways that charitable organizations could capitalize on this type of phenomenon in the future?

How Video Games Could Improve Our Vision

How Video Games Could Improve Our Vision - NYTimes.com:

'via Blog this'

• How does the article say that video games may improve vision?

• What are your thoughts on this research?

Rembrandt's lessons for the selfie era

Rembrandt's lessons for the selfie era: why we must learn to look again | Technology | theguardian.com:

"Self-portraits have always reflected self-esteem. It was true in the Renaissance. It was true for Rembrandt, whose late works, which include many self-portraits, go on display in the National Gallery on Thursday. And it is true for us now.

The current obsession with selfies – with makeup or without – reflects a surge in self-confidence that is both admirable and dangerous."

'via Blog this'

1. Why does the article state that our current obsession with selfies is dangerous?  
2. Do you agree with the article's statements about selfies?  Why or why not?

'Destiny' and Google Maps team up for 'Planet View'

'Destiny' and Google Maps team up for 'Planet View' : T-Lounge : Tech Times:

'via Blog this'

Read the article linked above, then watch the video to answer the questions below:

1. What do you think of this?
2. Do you play any games on Xbox or PlayStation?