The Set of Programmers: How Math Restricts Us

This presentation will open a discussion about how we are introducing new developers to programming. Most textbooks, tutorials, and trainings begin by introducing new developers to mathematics lessons within the language. Many courses on programming require math skills as prerequisites. However, math prowess is not usually an indicator of one's potential programming abilities. Those people who have been told from a young age that they aren't good at math or generally doubt their math skills often feel excluded from the world of programming unnecessarily.

I will pose questions about whether we can be using methods other than math skills to teach programming languages to adult beginners. I propose logic and reasoning skills are more important programming concepts to master to help new developers succeed. Let's change the way we're teaching programming and break down more artificial barriers to entry for becoming a developer.

Anyone who is interesting in learning more about how programming is being taught today can attend. Attendees will learn more about the way math is preventing many potential new developers from feeling included and will present alternative ways to teach programming so that it is even more inclusive. Anyone who is interested in participating in the discussion about getting new developers interested and included in programming can attend.