On Thu, Jul 19, 2012 at 5:59 PM, Donna Benjamin <donna@cc.com.au> wrote:
Hi all,
Submissions regarding the Draft Senior Science Australian Curriculum close **tomorrow**.
This article in today's age made me think... http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/science-subject-comes-under-fire...
Hang on - Where's computer science? Oh that's right it doesn't exist in the brave new world of the new Australian Curriculum. It's a general capability (ICT) or a "Technology" along with design, woodworking, cooking and agriculture - in a strand called "Digital Technologies"
I've been to a couple of Google sponsored workshops advocating for the promotion and redevelopment of computer science in high school. #CS4HS
So I have some thoughts on this. Perhaps you do too?
You have less than 24 hours to make a submission with your thoughts.
I don't think it really exists now. As many are aware the transition from Information Processing Technology (IPT) to Information Communication Technology (ICT) was completed in most states over half a decade ago. While ICT does cover programming and computer design the focus on 'how computers work' is replaced with 'make computers do work'. The difference is subtle (and I have oversimplified it!) however computer science requires an interest in the lowest levels of computer operation and that is no longer something students are exposed to. The transition in high schools has already had a very negative impact on the computer science departments of at least two universities I know of. The computing department of the university I attended is now almost empty and many of the courses were moved to the Business faculty. I know from friends who are now in their first and second years at other universities that this is not an isolated trend. As a result I think that just setting a syllabus that exposes high school students to computer science may not be enough any more. The root causes of why school boards have been moving away from computer science for the last decade are still there. And, those students that do express an interest may find their options for tertiary programs have been greatly reduced. I will still make a submission however, I fear community action is years too late for submissions to make a difference. While it may be a good start I think it's time the information technology community took an active roll in solving the issues computer science faces in schools. Edward