Computer Science in Education in Colorado

So we are almost done with the first quarter of my first year in Education. Yet there is this issue that still nags me! Computer Science and how it is injected into education at any level.

First I completely understand that at any level there has to be a set of understanding to get to those higher level concepts. Yet, I think there are tons of things about Computer (technology) Education that gets over looked. We teach technology in our high schools, and middle schools as a tool and nothing else. This is like teaching children in math Algebra Equations to solve a certain aspect of there life. Sure they might know how to use that one skill or tool very well. Does that mean they can recreate it? Do they have any idea how the equation was even created? You need those foundation ideas or principals to really understand why a^2 + b^2 = C^2.

Yet, every time we teach a student how to use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint we are only showing the kids how to use a tool. They might become very good at using these tools, but will that help there knowledge of Computers? Again I will maintain they might pick up here and there some bits of information of Computer Science, but is that all we can offer as educators?

Its like if in physics we told people the equation for velocity, but we never described how we actually calculated or where this came from.... Sure they will be able to calculate velocity every time. Can they use the equation any other way other than just a tool in there toolbox? No, and any teacher would say it would be vastly more important to teach the foundations that build up to velocity. This helps them in other areas of education, it enables the students not only to use velocity equation but to manipulate it in the ways possible using math concepts. Yet, we only teach the applications that are used by a computer and not the actual computer itself.

So our youth go on, knowing how to use a Computer application very well. If the thing breaks will they have enough knowledge to put it back together? If every computer science major, or computer technician vanished with the things we teach would there be a student that we have taught that would know the basics of computers to at least get one working?

Unfortunately I don't think we do. Some say well computer science (engineering) is mostly math so those guys are the ones we send off into the computer world. If that is so true why doesn't our math teachers know everything about computers? Computer science is a field just like any other area of study. To get proper education of this area of study we need to create foundation of knowledge to spring board our youth into a sea of possibilities.

The beginning of computers start with these math/industrial arts people who learned how to sadder on electric pieces. With there background they were the leads of a whole new world of possibilities. Yet now all we teach is how to use a tool or aspect of computers. How can we encourage or inspire the next break through in computer science if we cannot prepare our students with the foundation necessary to go beyond the average computer user? Why are there not computer science standards when there standards for every other field of study?

Should we be teaching students something without teaching them why or how? That seems to be the standard we maintain in Computer Education. It is flawed. With computers become such a huge impact on all our lives the only way we can prepare the next leaders in computer science is to step back and re-evaluate How and What we are teaching.

Then to make things Compounded where do you think all these Computer Science or "Technology" teachers come from? Most definitely not from a "approved" teaching program. Without standards how can there be any regulation on what we teach in the computer field? How can any progress be made if we are not constantly trying to refine the main ideas or components that need to be taught in this field?

I really do feel computer science in education needs to be re-evaluated in this state (Colorado). Not just for the sake of some standard we can all teach, but for the sake of refining and building the world of Computer Science. Just like any field, as we begin to refine, and build on to our base knowledge the further we can send kids into the realm of subject content. Thus, ultimately maybe finding some ounce of inspiration in what could be the next biggest step in computer science. Our Future, our kids.

Really this wouldn't be hard. Most of the most important aspects of computer science are derived from other subjects like math, science. In the end if anything it might provide another way to enforce or to demonstrate a new way of looking at these things.

So, I say if an English class needs to know how to use margins on Microsoft word let them teach the tools that they will use. If an art class wants to modify pictures, let them teach the photoshop as the tools they use. Sure they're might be alternatives that slam these teachers with added teaching, but separate that as Computer as a Tool class. Don't confuse the skills to use a computer with the knowledge of technology.

Besides that the majority of students now days, know how to use a computer probably better than any of us. So lets give them knowledge of how and why a computer works rather than the knowledge of how to use some obscure program that might change in 20 years.