After reading the articles discussing coding being the “new literacy” and the language of the future, I will say that I am open-minded but also skeptical.
In most recent years, it has become a widely-known fact that the technology sector is booming. Computer literacy is becoming even more important in being able to secure a stable job and move up in the ladder in employment. “The President noted that our economy is rapidly shifting, and that educators and business leaders are increasingly recognizing that CS is a “new basic” skill necessary for economic opportunity” (whitehouse.gov). President Obama stated in this address that, especially in this high-tech global economy, it’s becoming even more necessary that workers need new skills to get ahead and not be replaced by automation. Technology companies support this push, particularly in hopes that the pool of skilled applicants will include more women and minorities.
There, however, are several major hurdles that schools will face as the CS4All push moves forward in requiring everyone to be exposed to taking a computer science or coding class. The first major challenge is finding enough teachers that are knowledgeable enough about the subject. “There is no state teacher certification in computer science, and no pipeline of computer science teachers coming out of college” (NY Times). The second major challenge is the logistical shift that will have to take place in school curriculum; there is already a mountain of requirements needed to graduate, and adding another course on top of this may be quite difficult or be argued to sacrifice the importance of other subjects.
The push for CS4All is occurring in many of America’s cities in efforts to reach even those in elementary school and from the poorest neighborhoods. “Of the 738 city students who took the Advanced Placement examination in computer science in 2014, only 19 percent were black or Latino and only 29 percent were female” (NY Times). I think that this early exposure can make computer science much less intimidating and more appealing for women and minorities. “To ensure that every child can learn the skills required to work in New York City’s fast-growing technology sector, Mayor Bill de Blasio will announce on Wednesday that within 10 years all of the city’s public schools will be required to offer computer science to all students” (NY Times).
I firmly believe that anyone can learn to program. Many people without exposure are intimidated and say things like, “I’m not good at math” or “I’m not smart enough for that.” Computer science is not at mathematical as it is logical. Even if someone is exposed to coding without having a future career in computer science, I think it would be beneficial in teaching students how to think and divide larger problems into more feasible ones. It is an incredible way to shape the way we go about problem-solving. This is already witnessed in the classroom. “All teachers of programming find that their results display a ‘double hump’. It is as if there are two populations: those who can [program], and those who cannot [program], each with its own independent bell curve” (separating programming sheep from non-programming goats). In my opinion, this pronounced dichotomy exhibits the benefits of making, at the very least, exposure to coding be required. I don’t think it should replace any existing subjects; however, I do think it should be a required elective. This way, it does not interfere with the current curriculum but also ensures exposure to coding. If students enjoy it, they can pursue it if they so choose. Speaking from someone who did not have exposure to computer science or coding until the “Intro to Engineering” course at Notre Dame, I wish that I had had some experience prior to entering college. I think I would have known earlier on that it was what I really enjoyed, and I wouldn’t have been as intimidated in pursuing it as a major in college – especially as a woman.
Ethics & Professional Issues 