Ever since reading what has become the seminal article on the topic of computational thinking by Jeanette Wing, I have been intrigued by this thought – is this something which ALL liberal arts college students should be taught? and CAN all liberal arts college students learn this to some degree?
In looking for a defition of “computation thinking” I ran across a rather thought provoking statement in a blog from the British Computer Society which said “Computer scientists are the new engineers who help facilitate the work of all other disciplines.”
I would like to start a dialog with my fellow educators to discuss this topic more in depth. How can we improve our students success in a computationally driven society by teaching them computational thinking? What is it? What’s the best way to do it? Is it the responsibility of the Computer Science Department? How can we change our 6-hour liberal arts “math/science/computer science” requirements to help us do it? Where do you start?
I suggest starting with reading the following articles to get your thought juices flowing. Then jump into the blogosphere by posting your comments below! 
Jeanette Wing’s ACM Viewpoint article on Computational Thinking
#1 by Gary Guthrie on August 29th, 2008
My present thought –
1. Keep CPS 100, 101, 102 as they are while we morph to the new curriculum. Time frame 2 years.
2. Design CPT 105 class for a computational thinking class. Time frame – have CPT 105 topics designed this semester. Class to be implemented in 2 years. But a pilot class is to be taught next year.
3. Get deans to analyze the impact on their majors. Time fram by early next semester.
4. Allow 6 hour requirement to be met by 3 hours science (class here is …) and 3 hours (math or CPT 105).
5. Have science and math departments plan to meet the anticipated growth in elementary classes – by mid next semester.
6. Have one hour skills classes planned for CPA 1 = word, CPS 2 = excel, CPA 3 = access to meet deficiencies. Time frame – mid next semester with trial classes offered next year.
7. Coordinate meeting with deans and Dr. Weier by third week of next School year.
Dan, Please publish my thoughts. Thanks, Gary
#2 by Bill Lovegrove on August 29th, 2008
Here’s the thesis: “To reading, writing, and arithmetic, we should add computational thinking to every child’s analytical ability.” Meaning, things every fifth grader should know?
The good: “Computational thinking is using abstraction and decomposition when attacking a large complex task or designing a large complex system.” I can see that.
The bad: “”Thinking recursively…It is recognizing both the cost and power of indirect addressing and procedure call.” These are a challenge at the college level – I stagger to think of trying them in 5th grade.
The ugly: “Interpreting code as data and data as code.” I’m not sure exactly what that means, how I would teach it to a 5th grader, and especially why it is essential. The programmer in me says interpreting data as code is a major source of bugs, not a key concept everyone must master.
#3 by Dave Br0wm on September 1st, 2008
I couldn’t help notice that Dr. Guthrie used the prefix cpt. Are we adding a new dept? Below is inserted a course at Arizona State that seems close to what you are talking about.
CSE 180 Computer Literacy.
Catalog Description
Students gain fluency in integrating technology to efficiently and effectively solve problems using computational thinking.
Textbook and Other Materials
Text: “Fluency with Information Technology: Skills, Concepts, and Capabilities, 3/E”, Lawrence Snyder, Addison-Wesley, 2008.
Online materials: presentations, readings, tutorials, etc.
Course Learning Outcomes
Provides students with the requisite knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in today’s computing society. Students will gain fluency in integrating technology to efficiently and effectively solve problems using computational thinking. The course focus is on learning to learn, and enables students with the power to explore, discover and self-teach technology. All aspects of information technology are introduced at an exploratory level, with in depth attention to finding, evaluating, processing, and presenting information. Also provides an overview of issues in security, privacy and ethics.
While the ohe hour skill classes sound good, but do we want to give them college credit for them?