[Edu-sig] A fact on the ground

[Arthur_Siegel@rsmi.com]

Any kind of programming one might be doing of any seriousness- math related or

not -
it is a means to some end, not an end to itself. 

That statement would  seem to be supportable by everyone who posted up on the 
topic.

If programming is going to be introduced into the school system, it should earn

its
place - be a means to some end  

Which is a more controversial statement, perhaps, but reasonable I think, where

precious
resources are being consumed, and a small percentage of the students are likely

to have
a lifelong interest in the subject. 

So it is not so such a matter of introducing  programming in a math curriculum,

but enhancing
math education with the tool. 

One does need to buy-in that a grounding in and excitement about math is a 
worthy goal

And I hope we are not at the point where that is a controversial matter.

The best intentions of using elementary programming skills to enhance other 
fundamental subject
matter in fundamental ways has been discussed abstractly
 
Kirby's work  - which he knows  well I have my own quibbles with -  is well 
beyond the abstract discussion
stage.  We know we are talking about something real

So hoping we send the math teachers to Kirby's math school rather tham 
Industrial Artists to Java school,
should not be a suggestion that should raise many hackles here, I would think.