Computer Science & Computational Thinking
Last November in Jacksonville, I attended my first educational technology conference: the 2017 AECT International Convention. Scientists, authors, professors, and students coalesced around theme "Leading Learning for Change". I heard inspirational presentations ranging from emerging theories and global trends to practical usage of technologies in classrooms.
But of the presenters, Peter Rich was most memorable to me. He convinced me of the importance of teaching computer science skills, even at the earliest of grade levels. Computational thinking is essential in a world now dominated by technology. And as Ali Partovi argues, computational thinking should not be exclusive to the coders; it teaches anyone how to think, imagine, create, and provides them with a better understanding of the world and a foundational skill that would contribute to any personal or professional pursuit.
I graduated from public school in 2006, and I did not get to experience the foundations of computer programming and coding. This could have benefited me greatly as I’ve always loved computers, especially to make art. I’ve built computers and websites but with very little knowledge about programming language. As an aspiring school library media specialist, I don’t want my students to miss out on the opportunities that I did.
The code.org module cleared up many of my misconceptions about computer programming. The designers of these modules did a great job presenting what I once thought was an insurmountable skill. They presented the information in a clear and logical sequence. The use of the Web Lab allowed me to apply the skill and better understand the concepts. I feel somewhat liberated and especially appreciative of the language that occurs behind our browsers. I will dig further into the code.org curriculum as well as the methods that other states are adopting to implement into my own library one day. I am even more excited to be a media specialist than I was before. I cannot wait to show students the creative and intellectual benefits of computer science.
The software engineers featured in the computational thinking video stated something mind opening: in school, we often present problems as black and white or having a single right or wrong answer. But in the real world, there are many solutions to problems. Teaching children concepts of computer science can help them with skills such as decomposition, pattern recognition, and algorithmic thinking. They can then generalize these skills into other areas of their lives. When I become a media specialist, I will strive to bring computer science into the lives of students in my small corner of Georgia. As Partovi stated: “To leave kids in the dark about a major part of their world is an unacceptable gap”.
But of the presenters, Peter Rich was most memorable to me. He convinced me of the importance of teaching computer science skills, even at the earliest of grade levels. Computational thinking is essential in a world now dominated by technology. And as Ali Partovi argues, computational thinking should not be exclusive to the coders; it teaches anyone how to think, imagine, create, and provides them with a better understanding of the world and a foundational skill that would contribute to any personal or professional pursuit.
I graduated from public school in 2006, and I did not get to experience the foundations of computer programming and coding. This could have benefited me greatly as I’ve always loved computers, especially to make art. I’ve built computers and websites but with very little knowledge about programming language. As an aspiring school library media specialist, I don’t want my students to miss out on the opportunities that I did.
The code.org module cleared up many of my misconceptions about computer programming. The designers of these modules did a great job presenting what I once thought was an insurmountable skill. They presented the information in a clear and logical sequence. The use of the Web Lab allowed me to apply the skill and better understand the concepts. I feel somewhat liberated and especially appreciative of the language that occurs behind our browsers. I will dig further into the code.org curriculum as well as the methods that other states are adopting to implement into my own library one day. I am even more excited to be a media specialist than I was before. I cannot wait to show students the creative and intellectual benefits of computer science.
The software engineers featured in the computational thinking video stated something mind opening: in school, we often present problems as black and white or having a single right or wrong answer. But in the real world, there are many solutions to problems. Teaching children concepts of computer science can help them with skills such as decomposition, pattern recognition, and algorithmic thinking. They can then generalize these skills into other areas of their lives. When I become a media specialist, I will strive to bring computer science into the lives of students in my small corner of Georgia. As Partovi stated: “To leave kids in the dark about a major part of their world is an unacceptable gap”.