Computer Science May Transition From Elective to Requirement

Parents Forum
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<p>[Computer</a> Science Transitions From Elective to Requirement - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2012/04/03/computer-science-transitions-from-elective-to-requirement-computer-science-transitions-from-elective-to-requirement]Computer”>http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2012/04/03/computer-science-transitions-from-elective-to-requirement-computer-science-transitions-from-elective-to-requirement)</p>

<p>I personally am not sure if I agree with this move. Some kids are just not fit for computer science as shown by every computer science class out there.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.bricklin.com/wontprogram.htm[/url]”>http://www.bricklin.com/wontprogram.htm&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2006/07/separating-programming-sheep-from-non-programming-goats.html[/url]”>http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2006/07/separating-programming-sheep-from-non-programming-goats.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Some of the requirements can be fulfilled by a computer literacy type course or a [non-majors</a>’ introductory course](<a href=“http://www-inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/~cs10/sp12/]non-majors”>UC Berkeley EECS | CS10 : The Beauty and Joy of Computing | Spring 2012)*, not a hard core [structure</a> and interpretation of computer programs](<a href=“http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/full-text/book/book.html]structure”>http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/full-text/book/book.html) course for computer science majors.</p>

<p>*Using the Berkeley non-majors’ course as an example; Berkeley does not have a computer science requirement for non-majors.</p>

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<p>I think that’s a great explanation of why a CS class is important for every student.</p>

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<p>This could be a good idea because it would force colleges to create introductory computer science courses suited for people who are majoring in unrelated fields.</p>

<p>At some colleges, such courses don’t currently exist.</p>

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<p>I wish they’d get some type of introductory programming class as an elective at our high school.</p>

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<p>I think this is a great idea. I took an introductory programming class in high school and it was a great experience.</p>

<p>I agree some people are not suited for it, but some people are not suited for math or english classes either, and they soldier through. Introductory computer science need not be excessively difficult. The analytical skills used are useful and widely applicable to other disciplines, and it’s one of those things you really don’t get much exposure to unless you make it a point to try it-- which most don’t.</p>

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<p>I took an intro computer programming class when I was in college. I wasn’t particularly suited for it, but I learned the basics and the class was quite fun - it had one of those flamboyant lecturers. I still remember the one that demonstrated trying to write an algorithm for diapering a baby. In fact he’s still around and still popular.</p>

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<p>CS science classes on actual programming are a waste for most students ( I had to take Fortran before easy to use applications were so common). It’s like taking mechancial engineering to learn to drive. You don’t really need to know about the combustion cycle or how brakes work to be a good driver. Better to learn some useful applications in depth.</p>

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<p>Computer science isn’t equivalent to programming- that is just a part of it. It sounds like a good idea to have comp sci courses that are meant to educate and not be the prerequisite for other comp sci courses. It would be even better if standards were in place to ensure all graduating HS seniors, regardless of the post HS plans, knew how to use computers and some theory. It will be a lot easier for future students who start in kindergarten and have teachers who grew up with computers.</p>