With the creation and advancement of AI tools, the need for technologically trained students is at an all time high. The normative 4-subject approach to education (Reading/Writing, social studies, math and science) does not always reflect the needs of the changing job market. Dwight Jones, former school superintendent, first recognized the importance of computer science education during his time as the Colorado Commissioner of Education. During his time there, he noted that the changing trends in the job market and well earning STEM related jobs were being outsourced to recruit from other states and other countries. Calling this the ‘Colorado Paradox’ these technology focused jobs were not hiring many local students, despite the relatively good performance by the state in education benchmarks.
The historic overfocus of these four fields may have led to the so-called Colorado Paradox that can really be observed nationwide, especially when considering students, such as girls, students of neutral, or fluid gender identification, and students of color. The primary way to address these shortcomings, detailed by Jones, are:
To even the playing field for all students
Introduce the concepts and need for computer science trained students early in their educational life
Establish strong role models in the field
An essential thing to consider is that education as a whole is aware of the current atmosphere around computer science curriculum and that there needs to be innovation and reform to educate students in the subject area, but also ensure that students in traditionally underrepresented groups have access to these amazing opportunities.
Not surprisingly, the COVID-19 pandemic was a catalyst not only for changing how we think about teaching and learning, but also in reformulating how we approach preparing students for the changing job market. Alexandra Baruffati notes that 79% of educators report improvement in student achievement in the classroom when technology is utilized (Baruffati 2023). The importance of technology integration in education as a whole cannot be understated and this remains true, perhaps more, for computer science programs which have adapted and evolved during the pandemic to teach students remotely. Carl Hooker, the host for the REX Academy podcast, emphasizes this importance stating that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on the ways that we approach educating students.
A relatively new tool, AI, or artificial intelligence is a field that has grown substantially in recent times. AI is an area that is taught in many computer science programs and has recently been a key interest of educators with the introduction of tools like ChatGPT and others. The former superintendent is adamant that AI is a tool and needs to be taught and reformed to match the needs of students and should not be treated like the ‘Cellphone era’ where educators were quick to suggest banning of the devices, instead of viewing it as a new possibility to improve the outcomes of all students. Perhaps one of the most exciting uses of this technology could be for students to be able to learn how to ask the right questions. Due to the way that AI works, being driven on the data that it is provided, students who may need further clarification with complex concepts and ideas could use the tool to explain it in different terms, or complexity levels, given the right implementation.
As you can see, the need for computer science education is essential to prepare students not only for the jobs of today, but the jobs in the future that may not even exist yet. The tech industry as a whole is changing and educators are urged to change and adapt with it. Since the ‘Cellphone era’ the education industry has learned that new technology is not always a threat to student outcomes, rather it changes the landscape of education, job markets and student preparedness to best solve the forthcoming challenges and needs of the technologically growing world.
References:
Hooker, Carl (Host). (2023, June 14). Always Be A Learner with Dwight Jones | Let’s Talk CS | Rex Academy Podcast. In Rex Academy Podcast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UZQORpV6FU
Baruffati, Alexandra. (2023, June 13). Technology in Education Statistics: 2023 Trends. Retrieved from https://blog.gitnux.com/technology-in-education-statistics/#:~:text=79%25%20of%20educators%20report%20improvements,helping%20students%20learn%20and%20grow.
