Monday, March 12, 2007

Is computer science dead?

Is computer science dead? - Technology - theage.com.au

This report talks about the declining interest in CS. The reporter is not clear on what the problem is, nor are any solutions presented. Instead, the view seems to be one of acceptance, acknowledging that enrollments in CS are at unprecedented lows because of lack of jobs... or, is it reporting that there are a lack of jobs because IT has settled on using minimal software solutions because they can't find the people they need? Draw your own conclusions after you read it. The biggest problem I have with the article is that many parents will skim through it, and simply say, ", you are not going to enroll as a CS major, do you hear me?!?!"

I don't believe the reporter properly evaluated the current state of CS and IT related job availability. She also alludes to the fact that we, as software engineers, are perhaps to blame for not having jobs available. To paraphrase in IT lingo, we have developed excellent 3G and 4G languages and development tools. These tools are so good that the computer scientist is no longer necessary to develop and deploy large-scale, enterprise-wide software. Yeah, that's true, I have no arguments with that point. But, in my opinion, this article is severely short-sighted regarding the possible careers in CS. It does make some important points. But, perhaps I'm blind, and the numerous reports and research papers that claim that there is a severe need for CS students in the very near future are just blowing hot air. Perhaps our hero, Mr. Bill Gates (super-genius :-), and other big-name CEOs are wasting time traveling across the country to boost CS enrollments. Or, maybe Australia (where the article was written) has differing problems in IT than the US? Hardly.

Here's my final thought, and one which the article does not address at all. It has been becoming clear to me that the traditional computer science education needs a massive overhaul to become relevant in the 21st century. Perhaps the real problem is that CS education is not adjusting its focus and is not evolving in tandem with current industry IT needs. Therefore, we are not educating today's students with the background and knowledge and tools to enable them to continue to develop relevant software. They are not gaining the foresight and preparation to know what the current and coming needs of the industry are. If that's true, then that is a real reason to have concern about sending little Johnny or Janey to college to be a CS major.

Monday, February 26, 2007

The Ithaca Journal - www.theithacajournal.com - Ithaca, NY

The Ithaca Journal - www.theithacajournal.com - Ithaca, NY

I've been away for a while, focusing on finishing my PhD. Anyway, I thought I'd check ACM and see if there are any signs of turnaround in Computer Science education. Well, we have yet another article about the low student enrollments in Computer Science. (Click here.) It seems that some schools have entered into panic mode. Either colleges and universities are going to step out on limbs and try novel and sometimes drastic measures to recruit and retain student enrollments, or you are going to see the quantity (and quality) of available computer science programs in this country fall, continuing in the negative feedback loop that has been progressing for years now.

Faculty, administrative leaders, and other so-called pedagogic gurus can complain all they want about their perception of the decline in the quality of the incoming student. I fail to agree or disagree, as it is a waste of time. Its time to do something about the problem, before its too late.

Shortly, I'm going to be looking for a faculty position in some college or university somewhere in this great nation of ours. I desperately want to find an institution that believes in the value and importance of education, and puts their money where their mouth is. I am so incredibly sick and tired of words without action to back it up. Our educational system and our governmental system -- the two entities in this country that are at the helm of change -- have done anything but implement change, continuing to spew forth words solely for their own political agenda, without any action to back it up. Wake UP!