As computing technologies continue to rapidly expand and evolve, why are many schools still reluctant to harness the countless benefits of teaching computer science?
In today's digital world, computer science is a critical field of study that offers a limitless amount of opportunities for both academic and technological growth.
Since the invention of the Internet, the development of new computing technologies has steadily increased, leading to fundamental change in the way we live and work. It's hard to imagine a life without computers, laptops, mobiles and tablets, but without computer science, that's exactly what we'd have.
Using computing technologies to solve problems
Computer science is the #1 source of new wages in the US, with businesses and organisations driving the demand for people with proficiency in computer technology. Gaining a computer science qualification provides a breadth of opportunities in a wide variety of fields, such as information technology, telecommunications, aerospace and defence, financial services, and digital marketing, to name just a few!
Yet for all the complexities involved in specialist computer science careers, all computer science students will share at least one fundamental and highly transferable skill: the ability to use technology to solve problems.
Learning about computer science and how to write programs from an early age will teach students to logically think their way through any type of problem. This paves the way for independent thinking and the ability to produce solutions to problems from a new perspective: an extremely useful skill in any career choice.
Computer science skills needed to power the future
There is a clear skills shortage in the computer science sector, with hundreds of thousands of unfulfilled job opportunities.
At present, only 35 states allow students to count computer science courses toward their high school graduation. According to code.org, 42,969 computer science students graduated into the workforce last year, in contrast to 486,686 current open computing jobs nationwide.
Considering these statistics, it makes sense to prepare our children throughout their K-12 education, with the computing skills they need to succeed in a constantly expanding job market.
Demystifying computer science
It's no surprise that many children born in the 21st century have grown up surrounded by an abundance of technology: from smart phones, to video games to social media. Young children also have the innate ability to learn new processes quickly.
So, shouldn't we utilize the fact that children younger than ever are able to use these products, and teach them about the computer programs behind the technology?
Although computer science can be a complex and sometimes daunting subject, it would be beneficial to introduce children of all ages to the computer coding basics. In fact, the earlier we teach computer science to our children, the better chance we have of demystifying preconceptions that surround the subject.
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This article is original from Daydream Education: https://www.daydreameducation.com/blog/the-importance-of-teaching-computer-science/
