Importance of Computer Science in Education and Modern Life

You’re head first into the digital world, but it rarely feels like it when you step into any local classroom.

Despite a few tech bells and whistles like using PowerPoint instead of overhead projectors, most lessons have an old-school vibe (pun intended). Students sit at their desks while an instructor delivers a lecture from the front of the room. However, there are many amazing benefits to introducing computer science into the world of education. In this article, we’ll look at some ways technology is helping educators to change the way they teach and students the way they learn.

The Importance of Basic Computer and Coding Skills Among Pupils

While programming is a great way to learn about computer science, there are many benefits to learning how to code. Here are some of them:

• Developing powerful language skills
• Improving math and analytical skills
• Being able to move freely in the digital world
• Learning about the basics of data analysis

What else can computer science do for education? According to American University, “The effective use of digital learning tools in classrooms can increase student engagement, help teachers improve their lesson plans, and facilitate personalized learning. It also helps students build essential 21st-century skills.”

Computers in the Classroom Became a Game Changer

Some instructors are wary about letting computers into the classroom because they worry computers will prove a distraction from the learning process. After all, many students spend a lot of classroom time scrolling social media feeds, playing games, texting, or engaging with other distractions. However, electronic devices are also an effective way for students to take notes, do research, etc. So, developing a consistent policy for computer use in the classroom can be a challenge. However, many educators recognize the importance of computers in the classroom—but only for certain things. So, what do educators use technology for most in the classroom? According to THE Journal, “Some 60 percent of teachers use video streaming services, such as YouTube, in the classroom. That’s followed by productivity and presentation tools like Microsoft Office and Google G Suite for Education at 54 percent.” However, educators do not engage with social media, with only 13 percent saying they use it in the classroom. Other technologies that aren’t used much include health and wellness tools, digital creation tools, and accessibility tools. Fewer than 30 percent of educators use these. The widespread adoption of more computer technology in the classroom can have remarkable benefits, however—as long as educators are using them purposefully and for a specific purpose. A major problem arises when educators aren’t sure what to do with a tool or add technology to a lesson for the sake of having technology in the classroom. Without purpose, introducing extra layers of technology into the classroom can be pointless, or even counterproductive.

Remote Learning Gains Steam

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way many educators think about computer science in the classroom. These horrible times necessitated the adjuration of most school schedules and kept students out of the classroom for more than a year. During that time, remote learning became a vital link to helping students stay connected to their education. Online learning platforms and digital video lectures via apps like Zoom and Teams turned laptops and tablets into classrooms and helped students keep up with their studies. There were the inevitable hiccups, and many felt that online learning wasn’t a perfect substitute for classroom learning. But, overall, students passed through a year of virtual learning in a better position than they would have without virtual learning. The experiment was successful enough that many districts have reduced or eliminated snow days in favor of virtual learning days. Others have embraced a hybrid model that allows for pivots to virtual learning when illness keeps too many students and teachers at home at the same time. At the level of higher education, the use of computers in the classroom extends far beyond students majoring in computer science. The experience of virtual learning is nothing new for the colleges and universities that have embraced distance learning. Indeed, most college students report using distance learning for at least some of their college courses. Many schools have either a hybrid model of online and in-person courses or are online-only. Online-only colleges have mastered the intersection of technology and education and have a wide range of tools to help transform online spaces into virtual classrooms that move beyond simply pasting traditional classroom learning practices into a digital space. For example, online college courses rely more heavily on discussion boards, which offer students the ability to interact with each other and the instructor, but in ways that differ from a traditional lecture or question-and-answer format.

Digital Homework Is No Longer a Problem

Of course, one of the major ways computers contribute to education is in homework. Delivering assignments online, whether through digital drop boxes with online plagiarism detection software or completing assignments using digital tools, has become an essential part of the educational experience. However, many students have trouble doing their homework assignments online. If you are taking a course in programming, for example, you may find that having coding experts for your homework assignments is an effective way to learn how to complete assignments correctly. Online homework services like AssignmentCore can connect students to expert homework helpers who can deliver the kind of homework assignments that make a difference in a student’s education.

The Importance of Studying Computer Science in Our Daily Life

The simplest way to understand the importance of computer science in our daily lives is to go to LinkedIn and Glassdoor and check job offers. Even those that are seemingly not related to computer science will have some requirements from this field. The bigger the pay you want, the higher the seniority, the more modern and prospective companies you choose, and the more Computer Science you need to study to succeed. There is no need to motivate people worldwide to study computer science — such courses are the most attended, and the most desirable. Many people learn the English language just to attend quality Computer Science, programming, or any other IT courses. The good thing about computer science is you can start practicing and working even without too much experience. You start in a junior position and move forward rather fast — everything depends on you. Good luck with your career path! Next up, you may want to explore a guide to educational platforms for adults.