Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 8/7/84; site ucbvax.ARPA Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!ucbvax!citrin From: citrin@ucbvax.ARPA (Wayne Citrin) Newsgroups: net.college,net.cse Subject: Re: Should Computer Science be taught at the High School level? Message-ID: <3918@ucbvax.ARPA> Date: Fri, 21-Dec-84 11:50:52 EST Article-I.D.: ucbvax.3918 Posted: Fri Dec 21 11:50:52 1984 Date-Received: Sun, 23-Dec-84 00:06:23 EST References: <241@mss.UUCP> <439@gitpyr.UUCP> Reply-To: citrin@ucbvax.UUCP (Wayne citrin) Distribution: net Organization: University of California at Berkeley Lines: 19 Xref: watmath net.college:570 net.cse:279 Summary: I'm in agreement with those who think that computer science shouldn't be required in high school or college. I'd like to take that one step further and disagree with those who feel that "computer literacy" should be required. No one disagrees that regular "literacy" (you know, the ability to read and write) should be required, since it's the key to all other study. The problem is with the term "computer literacy," which by its very nature makes people think that it's as important as literacy. I feel that what's called "computer literacy" is a useful skill on a par with knowing how to drive a car ("auto- mobile literacy"?). That is, it's a good skill to know, but no one requires that it be taught in school, and many people get by very well without having that skill (believe it or not). However, like driver ed, "computer ed" should be available to those who want to learn it. In high school, it should be taught strictly as programming, either in the business department or in industrial arts, for people who do not plan to go on to college. In college, a more general "computer literacy" course may be offered, but certainly not required. Wayne Citrin (ucbvax!citrin)