Why Computer Science for All?
President Obama’s recent announcement of a $4 billion initiative to bring computer science to all has many people scratching their heads.
“The message is that computer knowledge is needed in many professions. (The president mentioned auto mechanics and nursing.) But this is computer use, and does not require knowing how to program and design software,” writes Dr. Stephen Krashen in a letter to the New York Times.
According to the White House, we have a shortage of technology-trained workers – but this is a claim that Krashen and many others say is false.
So why 4 billion for this initiative? Certainly, there are many who would enjoy and benefit from computer sciences classes, but is it really worth this price tag – especially when school buildings are crumbling and class sizes are growing nationwide?
As with recent federal education initiatives, the ed-tech industry seems to have had a heavy hand in the plan.
“Coding is at the intersection of tech ed and EdTech,” Hadi Partovi, CEO of Code.org, told Tom Vander Ark in this article. “People ‘get’ online computer science.”
“It may be easier to sell blended computer science than blended math,” Partovi added.
Blended learning refers to a combination of online and in-person Why Computer Science for All? – Save Maine Schools: