Why Should Communicators Learn To Code?

@CindyRoyalAssociate ProfessorTexas State UniversityStanford Knight Journalism Fellow 2013-2014slideshare.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 themass communication discipline

An opportunity to address the digital divide

• 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.”

Jobs!

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