As one of the last of the generation of white South Africans, who were conscripted to a wasted two years in the “”defense force”, the term “bootcamp” doesn’t site well with me. It conjures up an image of drilled troops, marching around while, a buzz cut officer barks orders to compliant recruits. Instead of creating the impression of an intensive in person course where a student can learn specific skills and get a job in a few months. I have the impression of to crude attempts to instill army discipline. with recruits only permitted to offer yes and no sir responses to any question.<\/p>\n
While I don’t want to suggest that the current coding skills arrangements should be compared to apartheid armed forces. But I do want to enquire whether a “bootcamp”\u00a0 is the best label to use when describing an attempt to address an anticipated coding skills shortfall? Might we avoid militaristic stereotypes (which don’t really sit very well with the average mild mannered computer geek). And stop think of this as a drilling event by army instructors, intnded to induct you into their “killing machine”?<\/p>\n
Instead of framing these skills events as a bootcamp, might we find a metaphor that would help with the creation of more inclusive and equitable opportunities to help under represented groups to learn new skills. Find a gentler way to raise their awareness and address exclusionary stereotypes. To grow a coding community, who has been previously excluded, that seeks to erode and break the barriers that previously prevented them from making advanced use of their computers. To develop among attendees a growing in interest and confidence in their ability, without the need for drills, barked orders or military discipline.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As one of the last of the generation of white South Africans, who were conscripted to a wasted two years in the “”defense force”, the term “bootcamp” doesn’t site well with me. It conjures up an image of drilled troops, marching around while, a buzz cut officer barks orders to compliant recruits. Instead of creating … <\/p>\n