tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407965.post6148106220864504775..comments2024-03-27T06:09:20.323+00:00Comments on EdCompBlog: Computing Science Conference: Keynote Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08614417017549146281noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407965.post-91086765880317676382014-05-30T01:35:45.641+01:002014-05-30T01:35:45.641+01:00It's important but it would be wrong just to m...It's important but it would be wrong just to make the argument based on the economic case alone. My major concern is that computation is a new medium of expression that's not well understood by a large proportion of the population. The last time we had a situation where a few people understood a powerful medium of expression, the written word, and the rest of the population didn't was the dark ages. If you think I'm being melodramatic you only have to look at the revelations by Edward Snowden to see what security agencies are now capable of through harnessing the power of computation. The fact that so few of us understand the principles they're exploiting or have an awareness of the alternatives means they aren't really being held to account.<br /><br />Part of a healthy democratic society is having some understanding of the forces that shape society whether they're social, scientific or technological. An appliance orientated view of computers, that's what we often mean when we refer to technology, is both extremely limiting and gives us a misplaced sense of security that leaves us vulnerable. These devices are fundamentally pliable which means they can be shaped and reprogrammed in ways their original creators never imagined or intended. <br /><br />That's the real reason why we should teach computing science in secondary schools. The range of employment opportunities is an extra added bonus.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17069914927729521344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407965.post-42165124807382491482014-05-29T12:37:12.403+01:002014-05-29T12:37:12.403+01:00I'm always cynical when I hear of others wanti...I'm always cynical when I hear of others wanting to increase the number of people employed in the IT sector, it's usually associated with increasing staff and reducing salaries.Kenneth...https://www.blogger.com/profile/08085977493501373065noreply@blogger.com