I think all students should learn at least the fundamentals of web languages and the history of the internet. I do not think everyone needs to become an expert programmer, but understanding how websites and online platforms work gives people more control over the technology they use every day. A lot of the content we see online is controlled by large platforms, so I think it is useful to understand what is happening behind the screen instead of just being a passive user. I think especially with the development of AI, requiring all students to know each of the little fundamentals and application of web languages is unnecessary, but having a high level understanding should be taught because we spend a substantial amount of our education on these web pages.
“For social media, the biggest switching cost isn’t learning the ins and outs of a new app or generating a new password: it’s the communities, family members, friends, and customers you lose when you switch away.”
https://locusmag.com/feature/commentary-cory-doctorow-social-quitting/
I thought this was interesting because it shows how much control social media platforms can have over their users. Even if someone does not like how a platform operates, leaving can be difficult because everyone they know is still using it. Learning some basic web coding seems like one way of having a better understanding of the systems that we rely on.
Before this class, I had very little experience with coding for the web. I have worked with some coding in another class, but I had never really built or edited a webpage myself. Working with HTML was pretty straightforward once I understood what the different tags were doing. It was interesting to see that even small changes in the code could change what appeared on the webpage. I am still not very experienced with web development, but the tutorials made it seem less intimidating than I originally thought. I think the hard part is memorizing little details such as spacing and other keys that allow the language to register when it is trying to be put out.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>My Website</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome to my website</h1>
<p>This is my first page that I made using HTML.</p>
<h2>About this page</h2>
<p>I am still learning how to code, but I can already change
the way things look on a webpage.</p>
</body>
</html>
I agree that understanding the basics of web coding is important, especially with how much we rely on technology. I also found your point about social media platforms interesting. It really is so difficult to leave a social media app that you use daily, and even more so when everyone you interact with uses it, like friends and family.
I agree with your argument Jack, especially your focus on how hard it is to leave a platform once your whole social circle is tied to it. The quote shows how much influence these companies have over our online lives. What stood out to me is how you connected that idea to learning basic web coding, even a small understanding of how websites work can give people more agency. You don’t need to be a programmer, but knowing the fundamentals helps you see the mechanics behind the platforms instead of relying on them blindly.
Hey Jack, I definitely think your point regarding taking advantage of the online world is a valid one that more people should take note of. Like you said, especially with the rise of AI having a level of understanding be standard across learning curriculums would be beneficial overall. One other important piece i think should be emphasized more, especially among our generations would be understanding the “ins and outs” of social media and its algorithms. Even if having this knowledge doesn’t necessarily reduce addictions directly, it could be transferred into skills for the future.