Teaching computing in secondary schools in a dynamic world: challenges and directions

  • Authors:

  • Bruria Haberman

  • Affiliations:

  • Computer Science Dept., Holon Institute of Technology, and, Davidson Institute of Science Education, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

  • Venue:
  • ISSEP'06 Proceedings of the 2006 international conference on Informatics in Secondary Schools - Evolution and Perspectives: the Bridge between Using and Understanding Computers
  • Year:
  • 2006

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Abstract

The field of computing is relatively young compared with other mature sciences, but it has been rapidly developing since its recognition as a stand-alone discipline. The dynamics of the field has led to its inadequate external image and posed challenges in educating newcomers. As a result, educators have been deliberating how to portray the field to others in a compelling way, and how to make computer science studies more appealing to prospective students. One main challenge for educators is to bridge the gap between school and the "real world" of computing. In this paper I discuss two major aspects of the existing gap that relate to (a) the perception of what computing is about, and (b) the educational milieu. I conclude with a description of computing programs, especially designed for high school, which have been in operation in Israel. The aim of the programs is to expose young students to scientific knowledge and the fundamentals of computing, and to motivate them to achieve expertise in this field.