This is an excellent means of getting better quality computer science education into high schools: combine the recently laid off, yet well qualified IT professional with a high school teacher that lacks proper IT training. The result: high school graduates that are (hopefully) better prepared for computer science right from their freshman year in college, and an employed IT worker. Perhaps these students will be able to take the AP exam in computer science? It's hard to say. Based on my experiences teaching introductory computer science, I am seeing far too many students that can not handle the CS-1 course out of high school. If the U.S. is going to regain a place as a dominant force in computer science, we need to push the limits and consider new approaches to increase the readiness of students entering college with interest in computer science. This is one way that can improve their chances of success, and hopefully help them understand what computer science entails.
OK, admittedly, my views are often idealistic and neglect the realism that often comes with teaching any topic, let alone computer science. As one IT professional in this article said,
..."it's now a very different lifestyle, .. School is different." Smith, who teaches in an inner-city Atlanta high school, agrees. "It's been a little rough," he says. "Many of these students bring different issues into the classroom from day to day. But I'm committed to doing this."
Ah, yes. The reality of teaching hits every professor, teacher, or instructor at some point early in their career. I've spoken with many colleagues about their early interest in becoming a professor. We expect that we will have students like us, of course! We will have students that want to learn! We are often self-labeled geeks that love learning all about the latest trends and research in our favorite fields in computer science. We thrive on the dynamic aspect of our field, and we hope, and often expect that we will be able to impart that excitement to our students! Some of us know we are "called" to impart knowledge and have a genuine gift and do it quite effectively and naturally. Even then, most consciously choose higher education over high school education because we want to work with students that choose to be in our class, not those that are forced for whatever reason, usually resulting in highly disengaged students exhibiting an effort that clearly indicates that they would rather be anywhere else but in your class! Of course, reality soon sets in, usually after the first class. The flood gate of excuses, stories and sheer laziness opens up! Sometimes, students have genuine, real issues and problems that affect their success. But, more often than not, the excuses are lame. (e.g., the sun was out today, forgot to set the alarm, cat stuck up in tree, car died, muffler fell off in the driveway, drunk, sports commitments, or worse yet... drunk sporting events, team practice, fishing club practice (huh???), concerts that needed to be attended, frat pledging, updating Facebook is more important, etc.) Regardless, these are realities, no matter what caliber college or university you might teach at someday. Some colleges are definitely worse than others. (When you interview, be sure to talk to several students. Try to gain some sense of the type of students you may be dealing with someday.)
Despite the realities, teaching computer science is still one of the best jobs I could ever hope to have. I view the sobering realities as challenges that drive me to ensure I maintain a high standard of expectations for classes, without exceptions, and I make damned sure that those expectations are clearly understood and conveyed the very first class. I also make sure they know what they should expect of me. Effort needs to be put forth from both sides. Only then does learning take place. Yeah, the realities that come with today's students drive me a little nuts at times.
Perhaps if we improve our high school education, and we release the expectation in this country that every person must achieve a college education for success, then perhaps we'll slowly get back to having the majority of students being... students.
Despite the realities, teaching computer science is still one of the best jobs I could ever hope to have. I view the sobering realities as challenges that drive me to ensure I maintain a high standard of expectations for classes, without exceptions, and I make damned sure that those expectations are clearly understood and conveyed the very first class. I also make sure they know what they should expect of me. Effort needs to be put forth from both sides. Only then does learning take place. Yeah, the realities that come with today's students drive me a little nuts at times.
Perhaps if we improve our high school education, and we release the expectation in this country that every person must achieve a college education for success, then perhaps we'll slowly get back to having the majority of students being... students.
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