Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83 based; site hou2b.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!houxm!hou2b!dwc
From: dwc@hou2b.UUCP (D.CHEN)
Newsgroups: net.college
Subject: computer science and carpentry in high school
Message-ID: <398@hou2b.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 31-Dec-84 03:21:50 EST
Article-I.D.: hou2b.398
Posted: Mon Dec 31 03:21:50 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 1-Jan-85 00:38:24 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 31

i've been reading the recent articles on this topic of
computer science in high schools and i can't believe all
of the intellectual snobbery that going on.  i even see
one article suggesting segregation!  its unbelievable how
some people look for any excuse to voice their prejudices.

i've also seen the term techno-phobia used in articles on
this topic.  how about a new term: techno-centric.  that
could be an adjective to refer to technically oriented people
believing that non-technically oriented people are significantly
worse off than them.  the philanthropic techno-centric people
will want to reach out and give a portion of their wonderful
knowledge to people who otherwise wouldn't give a sh*t.  i'm
just glad some carpenters didn't feel the need to define woodworking
as a basic skill and force it into the high school curriculum.
however, i also think that its nice that my high school did have
woodworking shop for people who were interested in it.

and i think thats my point.  its ridiculous to force people to
learn something they won't absolutely need.  but it is nice
to offer something that people would be interested in.  and i
don't think most people will ever need to know a programming
language.  more importantly, i don't think that most people will
ever need to think in terms of the sequential algorithms that
are needed for most present day computers.

anyway, how many people's fear of math was cured by a course
in calculus or analytic geometry or algebra?

danny chen
ihnp4!hou2b!dwc