Readings

The readings for Tuesday, December 6 are:

Computer Science Education

  1. CS2013: Computer Science Curricula 2013

  2. Turn On, Code In, Drop Out: Tech Programmers Don't Need College Diplomas

  3. Bootcamps vs. College

Computer Science 4 All

  1. Giving Every Student an Opportunity to Learn Through Computer Science For All

  2. De Blasio to Announce 10-Year Deadline to Offer Computer Science to All Students

  3. Computing for all #2: Can we get off the pendulum?

  4. A Plan to Teach Every Child Computer Science

  5. Apple launches coding camps for kids in its retail stores

  6. The Camel Has Two Humps

Questions

Please write a response to one of the following questions:

  1. Review the Computer Science and Engineering course catalog, and compare it to the Computer Science 2013: Curriculum Guidelines and ABET Criteria.

    • How does Notre Dame's computer science curriculum match up with the the ACM guidelines and the ABET criteria? Does it mostly meet these learning goals or does it fall short?

    • What do you think of the ACM or ABET guidelines for a computer science program? What areas or topics need more exposure? Conversely, what areas or topics require less coverage?

    • What do you think of coding bootcamps? Would it have been better if you just went to a bootcamp out of high school or perhaps gotten a degree in another major and then done a bootcamp program? Do bootcamps replace a college degree?

    • Do you need to go to college to be a good computer scientist, computer engineer, software developer, or programmer? Do you feel Notre Dame has prepared you adequately for your future career? Do you know everything you should know (or want to know)? Explain.

  2. After reading the articles, do you believe that coding is the new literacy? Should everyone be exposed or required to take a computer science or coding class?

    • What are the arguments for and against introducing everyone to computing or programming? What challenges will schools face as this CS4All push moves forward?

    • How should computer science fit into a typical K-12 curriculum? Is it an elective or a requirement? Does it replace existing subjects or is it an addition? What exactly should be taught in this CS4All curriculum? Is this computational thinking? programming? logic? computer literacy?

    • Can anyone learn to program? Should everyone learn to program? Explain why or why not to both.

Feedback

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding the course, please provide your feedback at the end of your response.