Schools have been working on the best ways to teach computers since floppy disks were still floppy and programming was a branch of advanced mathematics. They’re still at it.
The latest iteration of the effort is underway in New Hampshire, one that is designed to elevate the study of computing, networks and associated material into a topic of its own.
“It’s foundational. We teach chemistry, we teach biology, we teach physics. Given where we are in society, I think computer science is one of these foundational areas that we need to be teaching our students,” said Nathaniel Green, science education consultant for the state Department of Education.
The effort is the result of a new law, HB 1674, that among other things, adds computer science as a core K-through-12 subject area. The department is aiming for programs to be in place by 2020, following the unanimous vote by the New Hampshire State Board of Education to adopt computer science academic standards.
“We’ve been using computers in the classroom for years and years, of course. We’re trying to make more of a distinction between computer science and the applications of computers,” Green said.
Under this approach, computer science covers topics like coding software, infrastructure, information technology and security management, as compared to classes that do such things as teach design with Photoshop software, or teach financial literacy with online spreadsheets.
“They may have been considered a computer class because you’re using computers, but we don’t want that to count as computer science,” he said.
The broad definition of computer science could encourage approaches outside the traditional classroom.
Green pointed to the Cyber-Robotics Coding competition, which was started in New Hampshire last year and has expanded outside the state this year.
It’s a virtual robotics competition, somewhat similar to FIRST Robotics except that it happens entirely online, which allows more opportunities for rural and smaller schools to get involved with coding and computer systems.
New Hampshire is not alone in this effort.
Twenty-one states have adopted or are adopting computer science standards for their public schools.
“It’s more to bring our state in line with college- and career-ready standards and skills. Most of the motivation came at looking where jobs are,” Green said.
Among the work to be done is not just figuring out what new things must be taught, but what existing things can be changed or dropped and how to integrate them into existing STEM and engineering lessons, especially at the elementary level.
“How do we work with teachers and schools to integrate computer science into the curriculum we already have — in the same way, how do we integrate art into science at the elementary level?” he asked.
Training for teachers also is important. A new teacher certification in computer science recently was created.