Ideas for Interesting Students inComputer Science

To actively recruit students into computer science (CS) courses, it is important that messages create interest, build student confidence that they will be successful in the major, demonstrate that students will feel a sense of belonging in the local “CS community,” and construct a sense of identity as a person who does CS. Below are ideas for appealing to students’ current interests by connecting computing to what they know about and care about.

1. Describe the relevance of CS to our lives today.

Communication: Computing has enabled countless new ways to stay in touch.Facebook connects students to friends and family. Social media like blogs, Twitter, and YouTube allow anyone to contribute to public discourse.Video chat enables meetings face to face with family or colleagues without the time and expense of travel–around the globe.

Information: Smart phones enable us to carry more information in our pocket than an entire set of encyclopedias. (Do your students even know what a set of encyclopedias is?)The Google self-driving map car is mapping the entire world.It has only been in one accident (when a human was driving).The Mars rover is bringing us information from across the solar system. The smart power grid uses computer-based remote control and automation to bring energy efficiency to homes and businesses.

Robotics:Machines guided by computer programs are being used in all sectors of the economy–manufacturing, defense, disaster recovery, medical technology, vacuuming homes, and mowing lawns.

Entertainment:Games are now social, played with friends and strangers all over the world.In just a few short years video stores have all but disappeared and online streaming and video on demand have taken their place.

2. Computing has changed the way we provide healthcare and education.

Healthcare: Electronic “doctors,” robot-assisted surgery, mapping the human genome (what we thought would take 20 years can now be done in a few hours with supercomputing), and the digitization of medical records are a few of the innovations brought about by modern CS.

Education: A few years ago you might only see a computer in the front office and computer lab, now we have virtual schools, games for learning, and education that is accessible anywhere, anytime. One Arizona school district used money intended for textbooks and instead purchased laptops and technology infrastructure. Teachers contribute to an online repository of curricula, each student has a laptop, and there is wifi everywhere, even on the school buses.This has not only saved money and trees, but the curriculum can be updated on the fly and never goes out of date.Students can complete their homework on the bus ride home.

3. People use computing to express creativity and enhance human potential.

Computing has found its way into the creative arts. For example, people involved in the Maker movement integrate traditional domains such as metal-working, calligraphy, and film making with computer programming. Wearable computing can make clothing sparkle (literally) and has more practical uses, like a turn signal on the back of a cyclist’s jersey. Computing can also be used to allow disabled students to make art.

4. Computing offers meaningful work that benefits people.

Computing is now part of every industry. Scientists use computing to track endangered dolphins, mobile forensics labs allow instant analysis at crime scenes, and GPS systems guide blind people. Computers support the restoration and conservation of artwork, designing and displaying new fashions, and help doctors scan DNA for childhood diseases. Computer scientists give back to their communities in many ways, such as designing and deploying databases to record human rights abuses and track human trafficking. More ideas at dotdiva.org

5. Computing offers enjoyable jobs, top pay, and enduring opportunities.

Jobs that have high salaries, are enjoyable, and are in high demand often require math skills. Students often enjoy math, but don’t know what they can do with it. Several organizations rate jobs and although these shift in place each year, the jobs requiring math and computational skill and requiring a bachelor’s degree or lower are typically on their lists.[1]

U.S. News & World Report’s2015 top 10 jobs that do not require an advanced degree androunded median income:

Software developer, $93K

Dental hygienist,$70K

Computer systems analyst, $81K

Information security analyst, $89K

Registered nurse, $66K

Web developer, $63K

Diagnostic medical sonographer, $66K

Market research analyst, $61K

Marketing manager, $123K

Accountant, $65K

CareerCast.com’s2015 top 10 jobs list names eight that do not require an advanced degree:

Actuary, $94K

Mathematician, $102K

Statistician, $79K

Biomedical engineer, $89K

Data scientist, $124K

Dental hygienist, $70K

Software engineer, $93K

Computer systems analyst, $81K

Chances are that the mathematical jobs listed above will use programming for solving problems.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics makes strong projections for jobs requiring knowledge of CS. By 2022, computer and mathematical occupations will be one of the largest occupational groups, growing by 18%. More here:

[1] Job ratings are based on work environment (emotional and physical factors), income, outlook for continued employment, and stress.