#COM481_Fall18

[kwiizii-blog]

Homeless Coder

   I read Fran Berkman’s Mashable article, Homeless ‘Journeyman Hacker’ Launches Eco-Friendly Mobile App. The article talked about a homeless man, Leo Grand and his interesting journey on how he became versed into coding. Patrick McConlogue approached Leo and offer him between $100 or learning how to code in two months. Eventually Leo released his app, Trees for Cars, a carpool organizer app that happens to focus on being environmentally conscious.

   Leo and Patrick spent about an hour together learning through a Google Chromebook and textbooks. During the final couple of days the pair would stay up, surviving on energy drinks and provided by Patrick. Eventually their story caught wind and the pair achieved national recognition from numerous news outlets. Leo is still homeless, but he plans on applying to companies such as Google, which is down the street from where he usually stays at. Leo is also planning on making a follow-up app, Trees for Cars ll.

   I like to volunteer with organizations over the summers, so reading how Patrick used mobile technologies to fight for a cause makes me wonder how can I use technology. I’ve had some experience doing web coding and website design in highs school, but the only thing I retained was how to make a title. A piece of relevant technology was a game I played throughout middle school. Little Big Planet 2 (LBP2) is at its core, a side-scrolling platforming game. But my favorite mode on the game was the creative mode, where you can build anything and get right down to the physical, elemental and technological sciences. For example, I can make a space ship made of metal, but I would need to insert and adjust the right tools to make the space ship fly. You can make the spaceship as simple as moving up and down to full range of motion and spitting hamburgers. Although it is nothing like web coding, C++ or any other coding method, it is a basic method of coding. LBP2 received awards and high praise for its entryway to coding. I don’t see myself in the field of coding, but the game did inspire my creative 8th grade mind. Much like how Patrick instilled a coding drive into Leo.

   The article talked about how coding can change a life, Patrick was trying to combat homelessness by offering Leo a trade skill. The article relates to the class by being related to mobile technologies/media and its social functions. In Patrick’s case, he used a Google Chromebook in a social situation. Although it is not a common occurrence to teach a homeless individual on how to code, it is another example on how mobile technology can be used in a social environment. It also relates to the topic of creativity, Leo did mention how he wants to make another app.

Discussion Questions:

1.       How do/would you use mobile technologies to combat homelessness?

2.       How do/would you use mobile technologies to fight for a cause?

3.       Have you done any type of coding, i.e Adobe Xd, web design, etc?

 https://mashable.com/2013/12/10/homeless-hacker-mobile-app/#k_czURudAsqx