Dive Brief:

• Coding bootcamps have exploded in popularity in the last year, and President Barack Obama has proposed spending billions to make coding a standard piece of the elementary curriculum, but much of this focus is on the mechanics of coding rather than the theory.
• NPR reports that theoretical concepts form the foundation of computer science programs in traditional higher education and teach important thinking skills that help students approach difficult problems, but some colleges may be too heavy on the theory side.
• The jury is out on what balance of theory and practice provides students with the right skills for the job market and also keeps them engaged in hands-on practices they can enjoy.

Dive Insight:

Online coding bootcamp provider Bloc recently announced a new software engineering track that it hopes will replace the four-year computer science degree by building “computer science fundamentals” into its initial, practice-based curriculum. Chief Operating Officer Clint Schmidt said Bloc often heard from employers that the theory aspect is important because of how it helps students think about software and complex problem-solving.

Should Bloc’s software engineering graduates provide stiff competition to their traditionally educated peers in the job market, and should other coding bootcamps add similar amounts of theory, traditional colleges may need to change their pitch to prospective students.