Computer Science Education May Be Necessary For Most Jobs In The Future
Most upcoming jobs throughout all industries will soon require extensive computer science training, urging many schools to update curriculums to incorporate these classes.
Education curriculum has been shifting for years. As the age of technology has taken hold, the necessity to implement computer lessons and even afford students to each learn on a computer or tablet has become standard. Now, computer science education is growing in demand as more and more fields require computer skills to complete tasks.
Nearly every field utilizes computers. Even physical labor jobs use laptops and tablets for projections, recording measurements, and even testing equipment. As the need for these skills expands into nearly every profession, so too does the necessity to implement computer science classes into public school requirements.
Computer science is currently taught mostly in college. This leaves many public schools lacking in important information that children can use to grow their interest in ever-expanding STEM fields and better sharpen their computer-driven technology abilities in preparation for adult responsibilities. But some public schools are adding technology lessons in the classroom.
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has worked to incorporate computer science lessons as early as the third grade. Students are encouraged to use a classroom computer to learn to type and get familiar with technology skills. This is a move that other districts have gone beyond.
For years now, various districts have rented out individual laptops and/or tablets to students from grades K-12. This gets them involved in computer science from an early age and encourages typing proficiency. In addition, it teaches children responsibility while providing equipment to families that may not be able to afford expensive computers.
The computer science lessons that elementary and secondary school children gain from having regular access to their own school-issued laptops and tablets afford them more ability to complete school work even when they are absent or during school closures. It also allows parents to help teachers track progress. While these benefits are obviously aiding children in their technology studies, one of the greatest rewards is a well-developed sense of typing literacy.
Typing literacy is needed for virtually every job in the modern era. Sales clerks and even fast food workers must be able to properly work a computer to take orders and deliver proper service. First responders utilize them to help check and record vitals and prepare hospitals for arriving emergencies, while park rangers can properly track foot traffic and keep up with visitor trends through computer science basics.
Schools like LAUSD have recognized the necessity for increased computer science lessons and are updating curriculum needs to reflect that. In addition, giving students individual access to personal devices is now being considered in public school budgets, after proving successful in various districts. This better prepares families for their children’s future.
Most career fields and jobs already require at least some basic computer science knowledge. Instead of just leaving these lessons to college studies, public schools have learned the value of teaching K-12 students how to utilize technology. Whether schools will eventually require this subject as a graduation requirement is highly likely, and not only that, but extremely useful to offer students proper adult preparedness.
