Computer technology should become a required part of school curriculum - General

The personal computer is easily one of the most valuable technological tools at our disposal today, second only to the automobile. It has been for years and years, and it's not going to cease to be. Since our world is rapidly being taken over by increasingly advanced technology on an ever-expanding technological frontier, it makes absolutely no sense for anyone pursuing an education to not be educated in computer technology. Think about the required subjects we have today (in the United States, at least) and how they are important: [b]English[/b] (and Literature) Knowledge of one's own language and proficiency in speaking it intelligently, creatively, and coherently is incredibly valuable. The ability to communicate effectively is absolutely essential. [b]History[/b] (Social Studies) Having a good understanding of the history of the world in which we reside is probably the most important factor in understanding its present state, as well as being able to analyze current events and be a contributing member of society. World awareness and historical wisdom is also absolutely essential. [b]Mathematics[/b] Extremely valuable. I understand that mathematics is the basis for computing, but you don't need to know mathematics to use a computer. You don't really need to know anything beyond the simple operations to do most things, actually. It is for this reason that I think a computer technology course would be a little more valuable. However, it is still completely necessary for all people to be able to make accurate calculations, both simple and complex. Mathematical competence is extremely valuable. ------------------------------------- [i]In many American curricula, science is also a required subject, but I needn't expound it.[/i] Now, how can one argue that computer technology is not equally important to any of these subjects? Let's see what it looks like stacked up against them: [b]Computer Technology[/b] With many of the modern world's most populated industries moving to the internet, our society is becoming more and more intertwined with computer technology by the day. You can now order all of your furniture, household appliances, and other similar products online. You can now rent movies and video games online instantly. You can now manage your bank account, receive bank statements and account information, pay your bills, and file your taxes online. You can even order your groceries online. The internet alone is enough reason to educate our children in this field. However, there is so much more between the power button and the internet browser. The software available to us today can turn our computers into tools of education, entertainment, artistic creation, or anything else that happens to suit our interests. It is a new era of culture in which we as humans are more capable than ever to produce beautiful music and artwork, organize massive libraries of our work documents, and individually pursue greater education. [i]In a sense, computer technology mixed with a little bit of intellectual encouragement is the only thing we need ever teach our children, because all other education is just a few clicks away once this door has opened.[/i] [b]Anyways, as I grow older and slowly integrate into society as an educated adult, I find it increasingly unfortunate to come across someone who really has no knowledge of computers far beyond Facebook and YouTube. I, for one, will take it upon myself to educate my child in computer technology, but I would love it if even computer illiterate parents could have children educated in this incredibly valuable field.[/b]

Unless they make it where it involves games, viral games in part of the 'learning' process, that is probably the only way kids will pay attention. Either else they'll think it's just another part of school consisting of sheer stupidity. While I agree that Computer Technology should be of the norm, most school fundings aren't prepared to elaborate a personal computer to learn many of it's processes. There would have to be partners, consisting of individual activities in which the teacher would have to monitor, possibly assistants that would be required to have knowledge as well. Computer tech is more than learning about to boot and turn off a computer, more so on it's functions. I think the course you're looking for is, "Common Knowledge about Computers". If that exists.

I did it in Primary school and then the first couple of years of secondary school. English/Maths was only required for a couple of years after that. (And required History, Geography [B]OR[/B] Modern Studies, or more if you want to) I think that's the norm in the UK. You learn the obvious shit like what a folder is and how to turn things on and then in secondary you learn how to use word processors and spreadsheets. I don't see the point of teaching every child any more than that. What's the world going to do with millions of terrible programmers?

Schools need more scientific, computing and the such taught. What is this hair dressing classes nonsense I hear of? I should get rid of them by inventing a combustible hairdresser that burns your hair off.

It already is a compulsory subject (in my school anyway). We learn nothing due to the fact our teacher is a fat shit who falls asleep in class and breathes heavily. You basically learn how to make copypasta throughout the years. Though a few weeks ago we played The Incredible Machine, shit was cash.

I don't think it should be required to take, just competency. Give people the opprtunity to learn how to make work and excell work, and understanding how computers work. The bigger part for me is that you're lucky to find a high school that teaches programming. I know in my starter CS class, I was only one of 3 people in the class who knew any language, out of the ~30. But yeah, this is just as likely to succeed as upping the number of math credits required to graduate. I find it fucking appalling that you can have fewer math classes than history classes, especially when the basic ones help with real-world crap at all. It's not asking you to synthesize the equations to find the eigenbasis of a complex matrix, it's asking how to do basic accounting and trig [editline]5th May 2011[/editline] But that's just me being a mathlete. I realize that a lot of people don't have an affinity for math. Like my sister, I tutor her over math basic math, when I'm in 300 level classes as a freshman

We already have that here. At least, it was required where I went. We even learned some simple programming language, although it was Turbo Pascal.

It's called Powerpoint, Excel, and Word class with Visual Basic and Access on the side.

[QUOTE=Matix;29631961]While extremely valuable, I would actually consider this to be a much less important subject than computer technology.[/QUOTE] Please tell me you're not serious Mathematics is the basis of computing

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;29632397]Please tell me you're not serious Mathematics is the basis of computing[/QUOTE] You think I don't know that? You don't need to know mathematics to use a computer. You don't really need to know anything beyond the simple operations to do most things, actually.

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;29632397]Please tell me you're not serious Mathematics is the basis of computing[/QUOTE] Maths + Physics + Computing = :science:

Is this aimed at primary schools or junior high school?

[QUOTE=Matix;29632406]You think I don't know that? You don't need to know mathematics to use a computer.[/QUOTE] Nor do you need a class to use a computer, unless you're over 40. Programming and computing uses math and math reasoning

[QUOTE=Matix;29632406]You think I don't know that? You don't need to know mathematics to use a computer.[/QUOTE] What does that have to do with anything

People should be taught to an extent that they don't come across as computer illiterates. It should include basic security, how the OS works (not in depth, just so people know what it is etc.), basic web browsing, different types of software, how to maintain and improve a computer and maybe some other things. Just because you can make a powerpoint and a word document doesn't mean you are competent with a computer which is what I've found a lot of courses in the UK doing.

Another amazing thread from Renin (Matix).

[QUOTE=MIPS;29632362]It's called Powerpoint, Excel, and Word class with Visual Basic and Access on the side.[/QUOTE] You've summed up my 4 years of ICT classes in high school. :golfclap:

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;29632446]What does that have to do with anything[/QUOTE] Did you even read the OP? It has to do with everything. I'm not talking about teaching kids to program. I'm talking about teaching them to utilize the most useful of software and features, familiarity with operating systems, and a self-sustaining basis for further computer knowledge.

[QUOTE=Matix;29632486]Did you even read the OP? It has to do with everything. I'm not talking about teaching kids to program. I'm talking about teaching them to utilize the most useful of software and features.[/QUOTE] Except today's kids KNOW how to do that. It's the adults that don't, because they didn't grow up with the computer as an essential part of popular culture. You don't need to teach kids about computers because they learn it on their own.

[QUOTE=Matix;29632486]Did you even read the OP? It has to do with everything. I'm not talking about teaching kids to program. I'm talking about teaching them to utilize the most useful of software and features, as well as familiarity with the two most prevalent operating systems.[/QUOTE] I wouldn't agree on taking away math lessons to prioritize computer technology, as it is too important for your future careers and options in life.

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;29632509]Except today's kids KNOW how to do that. It's the adults that don't, because they didn't grow up with the computer as an essential part of popular culture. You don't need to teach kids about computers because they learn it on their own.[/QUOTE] Because they "learn it on their own"? Many do, but just as many don't. That's a very ignorant statement. Just because you and most of the other people here taught themselves, that doesn't mean it's true of all kids.

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;29632509]Except today's kids KNOW how to do that. It's the adults that don't, because they didn't grow up with the computer as an essential part of popular culture. You don't need to teach kids about computers because they learn it on their own.[/QUOTE] Pretty much what I did. Kids learn like a sponge, and if you give them a computer with a few software programs they'll learn it out of curiosity, just because they want to.

[QUOTE=Cree8ive;29632545]I wouldn't agree on taking away math lessons to prioritize computer technology, as it is too important for your future careers and options in life.[/QUOTE] Woah, when did I say that? I'm pretty sure I pointed out its importance, actually.

[QUOTE=Matix;29632548]Because they "learn it on their own"? Many do, but just as many don't. That's a very ignorant statement. Just because you and most of the other people here taught themselves, that doesn't mean it's true of all kids.[/QUOTE] It's true of a gigantic majority. If you do this you're going to have a class of 2 kids gaining useful information and 28 bored ones.

Personally, I could care less if I knew how to use computers well or not because all in all it doesn't make that much of a difference if you're working in a field that doesn't require extensive computer knowledge and IT people exist for a reason. Some people don't like sitting on their ass, you know. Computers are things that change fast, anyway, so any computer knowledge you teach a person now will become less and less useful over the course of a few years when they might have wanted to take art or music or something relevant to their interests instead.

[QUOTE=Cree8ive;29632587]Pretty much what I did. Kids learn like a sponge, and if you give them a computer with a few software programs they'll learn it out of curiosity, just because they want to.[/QUOTE] Exactly. Do you know how many people can afford to or are motivated to provide their kids with that? It's not nearly enough.

I remember my step brother having access to a computer with the Internet for the first time like 3 year ago when he was about 12ish. He had no fucking clue what to do with it because his dumbass parents that he lived with barred him from anything Internet related. I remember specifically. He opened up Firefox with my instruction, and it was the default Google start page, the portal through the entire Internet at his fingertips. He stared at the screen for a bit, moved the mouse around, and then closed Firefox without even attempting to search anything in Google even though I urged him too. He just had no idea how powerful this new tool was and it overloaded him. The whole time he was paranoid his parents would find out he disobeyed them (for going online) and would ground him.

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;29632594]It's true of a gigantic majority. If you do this you're going to have a class of 2 kids gaining useful information and 28 bored ones.[/QUOTE] Not even close. Almost everyone I know is familiar with the internet, as I mentioned in the OP (Facebook and YouTube and whatnot), but they have little to no understanding of the computer itself or how to utilize the countless other potential tools at their disposal. It may be a 28:2 ratio of kids with knowledge of the internet, but I guarantee you that there isn't a 28:2 ratio of kids who have proficiency in computer technology.

[QUOTE=Master117;29632620]I remember my step brother having access to a computer with the Internet for the first time like 3 year ago when he was about 12ish. He had no fucking clue what to do with it because his dumbass parents that he lived with barred him from anything Internet related. I remember specifically. He opened up Firefox with my instruction, and it was the default Google start page. The portal through the entire Internet at his fingertips. He stared at the screen for a bit, moved the mouse around, and then closed Firefox without even attempting to search anything in Google. The whole time he was paranoid his parents would find out he disobeyed them (for going online) and would ground him.[/QUOTE] You can't exactly blame the kid then, as the parents are clearly the problem here.

[QUOTE=Matix;29632636]Not even close. Almost everyone I know is familiar with the internet, as I mentioned in the OP (Facebook and YouTube and whatnot), but they have little to no understanding of the computer itself or how to utilize the countless other potential tools at their disposal.[/QUOTE] Be more specific as to what these tools are.