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Importance of Computer Science Education in the General Social Context

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Importance of Computer Science Education in the General Social Context

Arghya Ray

Invitation Paper

National Computer Academy, 2015

1
Table of Contents

Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 3

Analysis........................................................................................................................................... 4

Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 7

References....................................................................................................................................... 9

2
 Importance of Computer Science Education in the

General Social Context

Introduction
The rise of information technology or IT has profoundly affected modern

society. Consequently, computers have become devices of daily use. In this paper,

the need of computer science education will be reflected on. The analysis will

focus on the current situation of today’s society, where IT and

telecommunications are playing a crucial role. World Wide Web and advanced IT

tools have created new opportunities before computer science. So computers can

be considered as intricately interacting with human social processes, where

learning needs are diversifying everyday.

However, in a greater social context of general education, understanding

the special needs of computer science education is not easy. Conventionally,

educational processes are oriented toward an instructions-based approach

(Computer Science Education in the 21st Century, 2012). However, in the case of

computer science, only instructions alone cannot suffice the purposes of the

course. Laboratory-based exercises are necessary, and the student has to

practically handle the computing device. Constructing knowledge on operating

computers is thus the fundamental starting point of computer science learning.

Contextually, in this paper, social perspectives on general learning as well as

studying computer science will also be detailed.

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Essay Question

Should all students be required to take a course in computer science during

their education?

Analysis
Computers are being used ubiquitously in different organizations

including universities, hospitals, businesses, etc. Wireless technologies, coupled

with Internet and mobile devices, are continuously expanding the scope of

computer science (see Figure – 1). So, if somebody does not have the capability

of operating computer systems, then life will become considerably difficult for

them. For example, daily activities like online shopping, email communication,

word processing, etc. are not possible without using computers. Consequently,

knowledge of computer science has become a must.

Figure – 1: Scope of computer science and related subjects.

(Source: Computer Science Canada, 2007)

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 But how can we achieve the adequate levels of knowledge on computers

(and computer science) in today’s world? Unlike the mid 1980s, today’s computer

users do not belong only to the educated scientific community with different

specializations. In a more liberal system of computer science education, even

older adults, housewives, and professionals of other fields would call for a novel

pedagogy (Computer Science Education in the 21st Century, 2012). Consequently,

one can ask that why the learning of computer science and related technologies is

so complex.

“The conventional approach to education remains the instructivist one, in

which knowledge is perceived to flow from experts to novices. This

transmissive view of learning is most evident in the emphasis of lectures,

in the use of textbooks to prescribe reading, and in the future of tutorials

and assessment methods. In addition, first courses in computer science are

typically programming courses and therefore complement the instruction

with laboratory work.” (Computer Science Education in the 21st Century,

2012, p. 53)

Computer science has its own demands as a subject. So computer science

education must shift from an instructivist approach to a knowledge oriented

framework. Today, majority of schools and colleges are capable of providing

computer education. This kind of educational institutions, mostly having their

own IT labs, helps in providing practical knowledge on computers and Internet.

The student community will be greatly benefited if they are provided with

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smartphone devices, necessary software, and other technical tools too. Ultimately,

knowledge of computer science can prove to be helpful in going ahead to learn

other subjects with the help of enhanced software applications. Therefore,

optimum computer science education will have a twofold benefit. First, the

students will learn to use computing technologies confidently. Second, they will

feel comfortable with computer-based learning systems, where they can be

provided with multimedia lessons on different subjects like languages,

humanities, physical sciences, etc.

If students are trained on computers with “built-in-motivation” (Bennett,

2013, p. 10), then they can develop the necessary levels of both confidence and

knowledge. According to Guzdial & DiSalvo (2013), studying computer science

cannot be regarded as just another subject or topic of research. Computing has

emerged as a kind of literacy, which can be described as an indispensable

groundwork upon which knowledge of other academic subjects can be built.

Further, according to Guzdial & DiSalvo (2013, p. 30), “New developments in

computing education are about bringing computer literacy to everyone, from

young children to working adults to retirees.” In order to exploit the full potential

of informatics in our society, it is a good idea to teach computer science at

whatever level possible This is particularly true in those complex educational

environments where elementary education, secondary education, college

education, etc. are differentiated in an organized manner.

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 Besides, rise of computer based business information systems have

necessitated deeper knowledge of computers and mobile devices. Banking

transactions are becoming increasingly Web-based and sheer convenience of

usage is encouraging customers to go online. Investment analyses and actual share

market transactions have become almost completely dependent on electronic

transactions and databases. Even many of modern voting systems can now be

integrated within the framework of electronic voting machine, and basic computer

knowledge is a must for operating them. In this way, computer education is

actually lying at the periphery of the computer-based sociotechnical processes in

our society. As a consequence, development of different computer applications

for different fields and purposes has also become an imperative. Fulfilling the

requirements of the newer information systems call for optimum computer

science education. Expansion of use of IT applications across different subject

areas and industries need more skilled computer operators as well as application

developers (Bresnahan et al, 1999). All round training in computer science can

help the students to become winning professional candidates for the future.

Conclusion

Computers have been incorporated in every sphere of one’s social life.

Knowledge of computer is becoming a must in today’s social environment.

However, there are numerous questions regarding the quality of this knowledge.

Firstly, at what level should this knowledge about computers be provided?

Secondly, is superficial knowledge just about working with computing devices

enough? Thirdly, if the students do not get to know the scientific approach about

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computers, then what is the use of their knowledge? There are still other open

questions about computer education, where the topic of computer science

education is still highly debated.

However, social significance of computer science as a distinct subject is

undeniable. According to Guzdial & DiSalvo (2013), lessons in computer science

can be helpful in creating holistic knowledge about computers. Not only that,

topics like word processing, Web designing, Internet technologies, and IT tools

can be incorporated at various levels of the academic curricula concerned. Due to

the rapid expansion of broadband connectivity and advanced software, various

kinds of computing devices are becoming increasingly popular everyday. In such

a state of affair, taking a course in computer science can be deemed as a critical

necessity of modern education. Every educational institution must have suitable

infrastructure for teaching and studying at least the fundamentals of computer

science.

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 References
Bennett, R. L. (2013). First steps to computer literacy. Calico Journal, 1, 10-13.

Bresnahan, T. F., Brynjolfsson, E., & Hitt, L. M. (1999). Information technology,

workplace organization and the demand for skilled labour: Firm-level

evidence (No. w7136). London: National Bureau of Economic Research.

Computer Science Canada (2007). 6 Degrees of Computer Science. Retrieved on

21st October 2015 from http://compsci.ca/blog/6-degrees-of-computer-

science/.

Computer Science Education in the 21st Century (2012). New York: Springer

Guzdial, M. & DiSalvo, B. (2013). Computing Education: Beyond the

Classroom. Computer, (9), 30-31.

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