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

Schools should give the necessary lessons, like English and Mathematics, and give the student himself the choice of what he should choose to his own liking. He or she should also be notified about what the future holds for him/her if he or she chooses those specific lessons. Also, I mostly agree on your opinion. Computers are more and more becoming something of daily use, or even a way of life. But it shouldn't really be a necessity just yet, since some specific lessons don't always require computers.

The problem is, schools in places like Scotland, where I went to school, so much emphasis is put on the basic subjects, thanks to the ridiculous curriculum for excellence scheme, every other subject is near enough neglected in terms of funding. I whole heartedly agree with you, and education heads really should be aware of the mistakes they're making not funding computer courses properly in schools. There's also the fact they don't make it appealing to study unless you have some background knowledge prior to choosing the course. I remember studying it in my 5th year (the penultimate year for all you foreigners) and literally all we did was spreadsheets and make counting programs in Visual Basic. While I certainly accepted that it would be a large part of the course when I signed up, I did not sign up to do it all year because the school didn't have the funds to employ an actual IT teacher.

[QUOTE=Cree8ive;29632642]You can't exactly blame the kid then, as the parents are clearly the problem here.[/QUOTE] I'm not. I'm blaming the asshole parents he lives with.

The problem is, schools in places like Scotland, where I went to school, so much emphasis is put on the basic subjects, thanks to the ridiculous curriculum for excellence scheme, every other subject is near enough neglected in terms of funding. I whole heartedly agree with you, and education heads really should be aware of the mistakes they're making not funding computer courses properly in schools. There's also the fact they don't make it appealing to study unless you have some background knowledge prior to choosing the course. I remember studying it in my 5th year (the penultimate year for all you foreigners) and literally all we did was spreadsheets and make counting programs in Visual Basic. While I certainly accepted that it would be a large part of the course when I signed up, I did not sign up to do it all year because the school didn't have the funds to employ an actual IT teacher. [editline]5th May 2011[/editline] fucking phone, making me double post.

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;29632649]Be more specific as to what these tools are.[/QUOTE] Anything in the Microsoft Office line, for example. The operating system itself. Knowing the differences between various basic software and determining what is needed for a specific task. Also, equally importantly, teaching kids how to use the computer as an artistic tool as well. More advanced courses could teach kids how to keep the computer running smoothly, and how to troubleshoot and solve problems.

[QUOTE=Matix;29632706]Anything in the Microsoft Office line, for example. The operating system itself and how to manage your software effectively. Knowing the differences between various basic software and determining what an individual needs for a specific task. [/QUOTE] I think taking english+accounting+speech classes account for all of the above [quote]Also, equally importantly, teaching kids how to use the computer as an artistic tool as well.[/quote] I think taking an art class would be a great place for this

[QUOTE=Matix;29632706]Anything in the Microsoft Office line, for example. The operating system itself. Knowing the differences between various basic software and determining what is needed for a specific task. Also, equally importantly, teaching kids how to use the computer as an artistic tool as well.[/QUOTE] Pretty much all of that is already covered in school as a necessary requirement for completing other courses. I can't count the number of times I used a Microsoft Office program in high school.

[QUOTE=Greenen72;29632732]I think taking english+accounting+speech classes account for all of the above I think taking an art class would be a great place for this[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;29632748]Pretty much all of that is already covered in school as a necessary requirement for completing other courses. I can't count the number of times I used a Microsoft Office program in high school.[/QUOTE] Both of you are basically just telling me that these subjects are already available. I know that. In fact, I was enrolled in all of them. I'm saying we need to integrate all of these into a single, well-rounded curriculum that all students would attend. Also, JohnnyMo, are you honestly telling me that just because using Microsoft office is practically required to complete homework assignments, it means that kids will automatically learn everything important about computers?

[QUOTE=Greenen72;29632732]I think taking english+accounting+speech classes account for all of the above[/QUOTE] Precisely. [QUOTE=Greenen72;29632732]I think taking an art class would be a great place for this[/QUOTE] I had to use CAD in middle school.

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;29632769] I had to use CAD in middle school.[/QUOTE] Eh, the only class I've ever failed is my jr. high art class, so I wouldn't know what that is, or what would fit in the class :v: [editline]5th May 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Matix;29632768]Both of you are basically just telling me that these subjects are already available. I know that. In fact, I was enrolled in all of them. I'm saying we need to integrate all of these into a single, well-rounded curriculum that all students would attend. [/QUOTE] Those are all required parts of the cirriculum in most places as far as I know. The problem is making it standard [quote] are you honestly telling me that just because using Microsoft office is practically required to complete homework assignments, it means that kids will automatically learn everything important about computers?[/quote] Yes [editline]asd[/editline] Anything important that they would learn in a class about it

[QUOTE=Greenen72;29632784]Eh, the only class I've ever failed is my jr. high art class, so I wouldn't know what that is, or what would fit in the class :v:[/QUOTE] It wasn't an art class, it was a technology education class. CAD is a computer-aided design. So yeah we already learn all of the shit we need in other classes.

[QUOTE=Greenen72;29632784]Eh, the only class I've ever failed is my jr. high art class, so I wouldn't know what that is, or what would fit in the class :v: [/QUOTE] computer aided design/drafting

[QUOTE=Greenen72;29632784]Yes[/QUOTE] Then I see no further point in arguing with either of you, as you clearly have no clue about the mindset and mentality of the general population of high school teenagers. Not everyone is as inquisitive and motivated as us.

i love cad

[QUOTE=Greenen72;29632185]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[/QUOTE] A [b]starter[/b] CS class and only three people out of thirty(10%) know a language? How terrible that 90% of the people in a starter class don't know something that's taught in the class.

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;29632807]It wasn't an art class, it was a technology education class. CAD is a computer-aided design. So yeah we already learn all of the shit we need in other classes.[/QUOTE] You still fail to understand the meaning of "required". Not everyone enrolls in these voluntary courses.

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;29632807]It wasn't an art class, it was a technology education class. CAD is a computer-aided design. So yeah we already learn all of the shit we need in other classes.[/QUOTE] Oh man, I just remembered that, took the class the semester after art. Used it twice in the year, but I can see how it would be useful for people not building something painfully simple. [editline]5th May 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Matix;29632838]You still fail to understand the meaning of "required". Not everyone enrolls in these voluntary courses.[/QUOTE] Yeah, they're required in most places

[QUOTE=Matix;29632838]You still fail to understand the meaning of "required". Not everyone enrolls in these voluntary courses.[/QUOTE] That wasn't voluntary. Neither were the English and history classes in which I had to write dozens of papers using Office.

[QUOTE=Greenen72;29632839]Yeah, they're required in most places[/QUOTE] Wow, that is completely wrong. CAD is most certainly NOT required in most places. Not by a long shot. None of those specialized computer classes are.

[QUOTE=Matix;29632858]Wow, that is completely wrong. CAD is most certainly NOT required in most places. Not by a long shot. None of those specialized computer classes are.[/QUOTE] It wasn't a CAD class.

[QUOTE=Matix;29632816]Then I see no further point in arguing with either of you, as you clearly have no clue about the mindset and mentality of the general population of high school teenagers. Not everyone is as inquisitive and motivated as us.[/QUOTE] If they're not motivated they are much less likely to get anything from following a course like this. I remember I bored my ass off when I learned Excel at school because it went slow as hell before everyone would get it. Ended up with me experimenting with it at home by myself. I am currently a high school teenager and at least here in Norway, they have a lazy mindset where if they don't like what they learn, they don't give a shit about it.

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;29632849]That wasn't voluntary. Neither were the English and history classes in which I had to write dozens of papers using Office.[/QUOTE] Then you attended one of the many schools that require these computer courses. That's good. And I already told you that being forced to create and save simple word documents is not equivalent to an entire education on computer use. [editline]5th May 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;29632868]It wasn't a CAD class.[/QUOTE] Once again, your schools are one of the many that require these courses, and that's good. It certainly does not represent the majority, however. I don't see why you're arguing with me when we obviously agree on the importance of this.

[QUOTE=Matix;29631961]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] While extremely valuable, I would actually consider this to be a less important subject than computer technology. 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][/QUOTE] this is slightly better than your 'financial expert' thread

[QUOTE=Matix;29632858]Wow, that is completely wrong. CAD is most certainly NOT required in most places. Not by a long shot. None of those specialized computer classes are.[/QUOTE] Let's see. Word covers the fuckton of papers you'll write. Excell can be worked in (if it already isn't) into a business/math class. Powerpoint works in with presentations. I don't see why you need to learn how to work a visual design program, when I've never properly learned how to use one. If the class you're talking about is to teach kids how to use programs like these, they already fit in.

[QUOTE=Matix;29632882]Then you attended one of the many schools that require these computer courses. That's good. And I already told you that being forced to create and save simple word documents is not equivalent to an entire education on computer use.[/QUOTE] Wasn't a computer course either. Just a technology course. Covered all sorts of things like shop equipment and basic electronics. I never took an actual computing course until college and it was the easiest and most boring class I have ever taken.

all kids should learn assembly

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;29632904]Wasn't a computer course either. Just a technology course. Covered all sorts of things like shop equipment and basic electronics. I never took an actual computing course until college and it was the easiest and most boring class I have ever taken.[/QUOTE] You by no means represent the average teenager. So please, stop trying to speak for people who maybe are less intelligent and inquisitive than yourself.

[QUOTE=Matix;29632920]You by no means represent the average teenager. So please, stop trying to speak for people who maybe are less intelligent and inquisitive than yourself.[/QUOTE] Most people I know are more computer literate than I am. Regardless, it does nothing to invalidate the point that kids are learning to do the stuff you claim they need to learn in all their other classes.

The fact my school uses windows 98 w/ an XP skin and IE6 [I]really[/I] doesn't help in my ICT classes.

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;29632931]Most people I know are more computer literate than I am.[/QUOTE] So are mine, because I associate with people similar to myself. Once again, you and your constituents do not represent the average high school student by any means.