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Why Should Communicators Learn To Code? @CindyRoyal Associate Professor Texas State University Stanford Knight Journalism Fellow 2013-2014 slideshare.net/cindyroyal “Learning these skills isn’t just important for your future, it’s important for our country’s future.” Barack Obama “Everyone should learn a computer language, because it teaches you how to think.” Steve Jobs Coding is becoming an important literacy • Supports algorithmic thinking • Develops a problem-solving mindset • An expression of innovation and creativity • Provides a perspective on the tech environment Computers will be a part of any media career and most other careers Data, data everywhere People will get information in a variety of embedded and atmospheric ways Storytelling has become interactive Retrieving data: Scraping and APIs We have a high % of women in the mass communication discipline An opportunity to address the digital divide Jobs! • New York Times, Interactive News Developer “The job requires solid coding skills and the ability to execute.” “Expert-level of standards-driven CSS, HTML, JavaScript.” “Experience with Ruby, Python or MySQL is a plus.” • Quartz, Reporter on “Things” Team “Quartz seeks a reporter to help us commit acts of journalism with code.” “Chiefly responsible for our data-driven and visual journalism, from charts to interactive graphics to news apps. Background in “front-end Web development, systems administration, statistics, data science, design, writing or information architecture.” Jobs! – BuzzFeed, Data Journalist for Investigative Reporting Team “Track record of using data to find, tell and reinforce powerful stories.” “Be proficient in at least one modern programming language.” – Austin American-Statesman, News Application Specialist “Programming skills to develop apps for HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript.” “Familiarity with Web APIs and common data visualization libraries.” “Experience with a web development framework such as Rails or Django is preferred.” Work with a CMS The rise of the media platform • The content management system defines a media company’s business • Who can publish, participate and share? • What kinds of stories can be told? • What kind of analytics are available? What is Computer Programming? • Problem solving using computer code • Working with and developing algorithms to accomplish specific tasks • Web development is a type of computer programming • Combination of content, design, functionality and data • Computers are dumb, but obedient –will do what you tell them. • It’s fun! Provides a sense of accomplishment. Types of Languages • Markup languages – HTML/CSS • Interpreted languages – JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP • Data-oriented languages – SQL • Web Development Frameworks – Bootstrap, Django, Rails • Libraries - JQuery Coding Syntax • HTML/CSS – foundation of the Web, provides structure and styling of Web pages. • Logic-based languages: – Data types and variables – Logic via if statements and loops – Functions Coding in the Curriculum • • • • • • • HTML/CSS Bootstrap Wordpress JavaScript/JQuery Charting Tools Python Web Scraping/API Web Frameworks Tech in the Curriculum • History of computers, Internet and Web • Social and cultural effects of technology • New business models/platforms • Network effects • Technology entrepreneurship • Social media • Data • Tech news • Communication skills introduced in these contexts New Major Proposal • Digital Media Innovation – a digitally immersive major for a subset of students. • Same core as other majors: Intro. to Mass Comm, Media Writing, Media Law and Digital Fundamentals • 15-18 hours in digitally focused courses – Web Design, Programming, Multimedia, Advanced Social Media, Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Mobile Reporting/Development • 6-9 hours in traditional courses How? • Partner with computer science or other technology departments • Find community resources • Allow and encourage faculty to seek these competencies • Prioritize when hiring • General faculty development around technology awareness and literacy Get Started • Codecademy.com • Lynda.com • Google Charts, MyMaps and Fusion Tables • Chart.js or HighCharts • Coding meetups/hackathons in your community, like Girls Who Code, Hacks/Hackers • CodeActually.com Get Started • Introduce technology concepts: – Agile Methodologies – Design Thinking – Prototyping • Spreadsheet basics • Chartle/Wordle • Review great work
