CCSCMW.ppt 463KB Jun 23 2011 01:04:00 PM

Extending the Pipeline:
Why K-12
Computer Science
is Essential to
Higher Education
Robb Cutler
Computer Science Teachers Association

My Background
 Introduced

to computers in 6th grade
 C.S. Degree
 Software Engineer / Architect
 K-12 Education
 AP CS and Advanced Topics
Courses

Defining Computer Science
 Problem

Solving
 Algorithmic Thinking
 Systems Analysis
 Logic
 Not just programming (though it
plays a big part)

CS is Clearly Important
 Technology-oriented

world
 Necessary for success in other
disciplines
 Basic skills are assumed
 Advanced skills are often required
(though often not explicitly)

Teaching CS in Kindergarten
 Sorting
 Searching

 Recursion
 Boolean

Arithmetic

 Queues
 Everyone

Does It!

Teaching CS in Elementary
 Sorting
 Searching
 Recursion
 Boolean

Arithmetic

 Queues
 Everyone

Does It!

Teaching CS in High School
 Programming
 AP

Computer Science
 Almost No One Does It…
– 86,000 AP Physics tests
– 87,000 AP Chemistry tests
– 132,000 AP Biology tests
– 256,000 AP Calculus tests
– 20,000 AP Computer Science tests

Where’s the Disconnect?
 Other

disciplines move to formalize
learning along a steady, coherent,

well-articulated curricular track
 Everyone is required to take English,
Math, Science, History – K-12
 Why Not CS?

CS is not accessible
 Perception

as geeky
 Always sitting in front of a computer
 Too much work
 Not fun
 No long-term reward
 Not perceived as important

So, Why is This a Problem?
 CS

enrollments are down

– “The percentage of incoming
undergraduates indicating that they
would major in CS declined by over 60
percent between the Fall of 2000 and
2004, and is now 70 percent lower than
its peak in the early 1980s” (Higher Education
Research Institute / UCLA)

So, Why is This a Problem?

QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

But There aren’t Any Jobs…
 Not

true

– “Information technology appears as

though it will be a growth area at least
for the coming decade, and the U.S.
government projects that several IT
occupations will be among the fastest
growing occupations during this time.”
(ACM Report – February, 2006)

But There aren’t Any Jobs…
 Offshoring?

– Only 2-3% of IT jobs lost annually
through offshoring
– “U.S. IT sector's overall growth should
outpace that loss of jobs, expanding
opportunities for those trained in fields
such as software architecture, product
design, project management and IT
consulting.” (CNNMoney.com citing ACM Report – February, 2006)

How Can K-12 Help?

 Pipeline

begins early (even
Kindergarten!)
 Increase interest by
underrepresented populations
 Better prepared students in CS
enhance your programs
 Recognition of CS as an essential
discipline

Understanding K-12 Issues
 Class

sizes
 Teaching periods per day
 Vastly different learning levels
 Students often not engaged
 One person department
 CS vs. Technology

 Battle for funding
 NCLB
 Feeling of disconnect with higher ed.

Working Together - CSTA
 Membership

and advocacy
organization representing K-12
computer science
 In development since 2000 with ACM
K-12 Education Task Force and first
CS&IT Symposium
 Model Curriculum for K-12 CS
Education in 2003
 CSTA launched in 2005

Working Together - CSTA
 4000+

members
 Professional development
– JETT / TECS / CS&IT Symposia
 Development

of resources
 Support for national curriculum and
teacher standards
 Research into K-12 CS education

Working Together
 Help

us help you with pipeline issues
 K-12 teachers need your support to help
keep their knowledge and skills current
 Your research can inform our work
 Improving K-12 CS education gives you
better (and more) students
 Improved communication helps

everyone

Challenges
 Join

CSTA: http://csta.acm.org
 Become involved in K-12 CS in your local
area
– Understand their issues
– Offer guidance and support
– Host a TECS workshop
 Lobby

your admissions office to
encourage formal computer science as a
course of study for high school applicants