In CECS, we are looking at the future of teaching with computers. At my school, we are looking at the future of teaching computers. When students use computers every day, in context as a part of their core subject areas, what computer classes do they need? what should be required? how should the skills and content be delivered?
Some schools I want to look into that may guide the thinking . . .
in Dallas: Hockaday, Ursuline
in Seattle: Forest Ridge
in New England: Brewster Academy, Andover, Exeter
who else would have a good model/approach/thinking?
What other Internet resources would be good to consult?
Phillips Exeter Academy
Require 1 term (trimester) of computer science (programming), chosen from one of these two:
CSC305: PROGRAMMING AND PUBLIC POLICY
This course introduces students to algorithms, computer programming and the Object-Oriented paradigm, and also explores the impact of algorithms and software on modern
societies. Students need no prior programming experience, but should be comfortable using a computer and have a keen interest in developing computer programming skills. Students simultaneously explore abstract computer science concepts and concrete software engineering techniques. Using the Java programming language they combine both concepts and techniques to write programs evaluated using two fundamental criteria: Does it work? Is it beautiful? Important concepts covered in this course include: classes, objects, messages, attributes, methods, coupling, cohesion, inheritance, polymorphism, and an introduction to modeling using the Unified Modeling Language (UML).
Approximately 20 percent of classroom discussion and homework time are devoted to exploring contemporary, sometimes contentious matters of public policy and public good, public expenditure, privacy, and others that are informed by a basic knowledge of the nature, capabilities, and limitations of computer software. As students learn to create software their understanding of its nature deepens, and with a deeper understanding the related social issues become more—sometimes quite—clear. This course satisfies the diploma requirement for Computer Science. Not open to students who have completed CSC315. Five class periods per week.
CSC315: ESSENTIAL PROGRAMMING
This course is an accelerated version of CSC305. This coursedevotes more time to acquiring software development skills and less to examining the impact of algorithms and software on modern societies. Though no prior programming experience is required for this course, students with such experience may prefer this course to CSC305. Students without prior programming experience, but with a keen interest in creating software, may also prefer this course to CSC305. This course satisfies the diploma requirement for Computer Science. Not open to students who have completed CSC305. Five class periods per week.
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