Middle school students learn programming? And the first course offered is artificial intelligence programming.

Facial recognition, self-driving cars on the road, AlphaGo defeating humans...these hot topics in the field of artificial intelligence are becoming more and more relevant to ordinary people's lives, and have even entered the classrooms of middle school students. Yesterday, "Yuhuatai Middle School - Artificial Intelligence Practice Base" was officially unveiled. Yuzhong became the first high school in Nanjing to offer artificial intelligence courses.

Take the lead in introducing relevant courses in the International Department

The "new curriculum standards" promulgated not long ago clearly state that artificial intelligence is included in the learning scope of high school information technology subjects . Luo Fei, an expert at the "Artificial Intelligence Practice Base", said that it takes 2 to 3 years to form programming thinking, and this kind of thinking is the key for ordinary "coders" to be promoted into outstanding artificial intelligence talents. "Instead of waiting for college students to go out into society and then train them, it is better to carry out this work in advance to the primary and secondary school levels."

With the unveiling of "Yuhuatai Middle School-Artificial Intelligence Practice Base", Yuzhong will strengthen inter-disciplinary communication Cooperate with each other to give full play to the comprehensive education function, allowing students to learn in a comprehensive environment and apply knowledge from multiple disciplines to solve problems in activities.

Mu Gengsen, the principal of Yuhuatai Middle School, said that introducing artificial intelligence into basic education should not be just slogans, but should be done in real ways to give the courses a higher value. Yuzhong will take the lead in introducing more relevant courses in the International Department. In addition to the 3D printing and model aircraft courses already offered, it will also accelerate the establishment and improvement of robotics and computer programming courses in the form of clubs and elective courses to promote the integration of subject knowledge.

Experts believe that it is not early for middle school students to learn programming

Wu Wei, director of the International Department of Yuhuatai Middle School, said that students’ interest and potential will be stimulated to the greatest extent when they are exposed to programming and even robots. It will help to connect with future undergraduate and even postgraduate studies. "For students who are interested in applying to prestigious schools in the computer field, a background in artificial intelligence may be a bonus when applying."

Some people are concerned that it is too early for middle school students to learn programming? In this regard, education Internet expert Wu Xing I believe that it is not early for middle school students to learn programming. Well-known Internet "big guys" such as Bill Gates and Musk came into contact with programming very early. When actually teaching students, you may also want to consider layered teaching. Not only introductory classes, but also for particularly interested and talented students, you can encourage and guide them to participate in competitions, develop practical products, and even try to start a business.