Computer Science Education

As a computer science major that never had even a minimal exposure to coding prior to college, I am definitely excited to see the country beginning to embrace the study with open arms. There is no doubt in my mind that studying computers helps develop problem solving skills and ‘algorithmic thinking’, but I feel that calling coding the new literacy is going a bit too far. Coding is not the same as reading or even doing math problems, and there’s no reason to believe it should replace them. Without those fundamental skills it would be impossible to code and effectively develop computer programs. I can guarantee no one is writing the next great app without the skills to read Stack Overflow or Rails documentation. That being said, there is nothing to suggest that computer science should not be considered on par with sciences like physics or chemistry. Each of these skills teaches a unique way of thinking and provide students a way to develop a deeper understanding of the world we all live in.

 

I think that over time computer science will become a requirement to some extent, but I think this will take phasing in. One of the biggest challenges with teaching computer science is that we still don’t know how exactly to teach it, and there is a significant vacuum of computer science teachers, especially at the high school level. Unfortunately, I feel it may be a generational progression to all American students learning computer science to some extent. At the moment there are just too many positions for computer scientists to fill, and most of likely pay better than a teacher’s salary. However, I think over time as more and more people are exposed to the field, there will be a larger body of qualified computer science teachers.

 

I do feel that anyone can learn to program. Surely some will be more adept to it than others, but is this not true of every other subject taught in our schools? There truly is not any intellectual skill required for coding and computer science that cannot be developed. I feel that more than just coding should be taught. In many ways coding is just a trade that would be developed with a handbook. The real work and mental challenge of computer science comes from the theory and the practices to best utilize coding. If America is truly invested in developing a new generation of coders and innovators, this will be a necessarily component of the curriculum.

Computer Science Education

As a computer science major that never had even a minimal exposure to coding prior to college, I am definitely excited to see the country beginning to embrace the study with open arms. There is no doubt in my mind that studying computers helps develop problem solving skills and ‘algorithmic thinking’, but I feel that calling coding the new literacy is going a bit too far. Coding is not the same as reading or even doing math problems, and there’s no reason to believe it should replace them. Without those fundamental skills it would be impossible to code and effectively develop computer programs. I can guarantee no one is writing the next great app without the skills to read Stack Overflow or Rails documentation. That being said, there is nothing to suggest that computer science should not be considered on par with sciences like physics or chemistry. Each of these skills teaches a unique way of thinking and provide students a way to develop a deeper understanding of the world we all live in.

 

I think that over time computer science will become a requirement to some extent, but I think this will take phasing in. One of the biggest challenges with teaching computer science is that we still don’t know how exactly to teach it, and there is a significant vacuum of computer science teachers, especially at the high school level. Unfortunately, I feel it may be a generational progression to all American students learning computer science to some extent. At the moment there are just too many positions for computer scientists to fill, and most of likely pay better than a teacher’s salary. However, I think over time as more and more people are exposed to the field, there will be a larger body of qualified computer science teachers.

 

I do feel that anyone can learn to program. Surely some will be more adept to it than others, but is this not true of every other subject taught in our schools? There truly is not any intellectual skill required for coding and computer science that cannot be developed. I feel that more than just coding should be taught. In many ways coding is just a trade that would be developed with a handbook. The real work and mental challenge of computer science comes from the theory and the practices to best utilize coding. If America is truly invested in developing a new generation of coders and innovators, this will be a necessarily component of the curriculum.

Review of Ex Machina

The link to our podcast is below:

 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0CUu4TIs84PUmVEOEttWkZkTkk

 

Thoughts on Automation

Automation is an issue that sometimes feels like it is more encompassing to me than it actually is. Of course, technology has dramatically shifted the way we live and interact with the world over the last 25 years, but it not as if people have stopped seeking jobs or developing skills for fear of an imminent robot takeover. Yes, some jobs like travel agents have suffered from online, automated competition, but we still largely interact with human laborers for many of the services that have driven our economy for the last 3 decades. There is no denying that machines have driven cheap manufacturing jobs out of towns like Youngstown, Ohio, but it is hard to say whether the exact same thing will happen as computers continue to mature.

 

Perhaps one of the most visible areas of my life where automation seems to be approaching is in rides. Without a doubt, Uber has been the app that has most noticeably changed how I go about my day-to-day life. Instead of ever worrying about calling a cab or relying on a sober friend for a night out, I know I can call on my trust friend Uber. This form of “On-Demand” services is sure to continue to grow, and for the time being it seems to be garnering income for individuals that would not have. Uber drivers are able to generate supplementary income, and services like Postmates influence users to buy goods they may have lacked the motivation to purchase in the past.

 

Clearly the Luddites were not correct about technology and jobs in their day and age, nor for next two centuries following. I do feel there was some legitimacy to what they were doing and their cries certainly are worth listening to, but I’m not convinced the pace of technological development can ultimately be stopped in cases where it truly provides better service and efficiency. An examination of the unique benefits human labor can provide should always exist, but I do not think it’s likely we will throttle technology.

 

At the moment, universal basic income seems to be nothing more than an experimental idea that would face so much opposition in the political arena it would have to be clearly necessary to pass. If automation did eventually become such a problem that universal basic income where necessary to support the masses, then the level of income would have to be such that it only provides for the basics of life. I do seriously worry about a generation only compelled to lounge around the house and collect their government stipends. Since the country’s inception, Americans have been driven to reach higher and improve their quality of life through innovation. I could see certain scenarios where this standard of living exists for a minority subpopulation, but I do have faith in most Americans to reject the idea that the machines are our maids and we cannot be bothered to think critically and serve others.