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What the Next Generation Needs Is Math, Not Programming

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Re: What the Next Generation Needs Is Math, Not Programming

#11

Post by bigtunacan »

If we are breaking it down to something this basic I think a more accurate statement would be, "What the Next Generation Needs Is Math AND Programming"

In traditional Computer Science there is already a focus on both of these areas. The question I wonder is more, "Does the degree prepare us for either of these areas?"

In the area of programming I believe the answer is a resounding NO. Most students coming out of a 4 year CS program aren't ready to be programmers. They've been taught a bunch of theory and fundamentals, but they haven't spent time applying them on real problems at scale. Within the classroom setting the fundamentals are applied to trivial problems that can fit into the constraints of a classroom setting.

Like many programmers, my career path (until recently), has kept me pretty far away from the math; so I don't think I can say for sure that the same is true here, but I suspect it is.

I have argued for a long time that much like a doctor goes through a residency program, something similar should be required of computer science degrees. At least a couple of years of the program should include students working together with experienced professionals building real systems that are attempting to solve difficult problems.

Re: What the Next Generation Needs Is Math, Not Programming

#12

Post by paulojreis »

I'm going to deliberately try to be controversial, but in order to spur discussion. What the next generation needs is more soft/social sciences, not STEM.

tl;dr of my point: we know dangerously more about technology than about people, their needs as individuals and their needs as a society. Somewhere along the line we should stop throwing technology at people just because we can, and start to focus on the right solutions - technological or not - to real problems.

Re: What the Next Generation Needs Is Math, Not Programming

#16

Post by Delmania »

What the next generation really needs lessons in: - Humility - Empathy - Patience - Self restraint and control - Mindfulness/Awareness - Disappointment - Resilience - Communication - Listening - Learning - Financial independence and literacy - Critical thinking - Problem solving - Self acceptance

Then we can focus on what area the person can best contribute in. Not everyone is going to suited for a job in programming or mathematics, or STEM as a whole.

Re: What the Next Generation Needs Is Math, Not Programming

#17

Post by fsiefken »

paulojreis wrote: post #12

I'm going to deliberately try to be controversial, but in order to spur discussion. What the next generation needs is more soft/social sciences, not STEM. tl;dr of my point: we know dangerously more about technology than about people, their needs as individuals and their needs as a society. Somewhere along the line we should stop throwing technology at people just because we can, and start to focus on the right solut…

True, but also in the social sciences you need a firm grasp of statistics, science and a keen mind. Perhaps even more so as people, culture are often more complex then designing user interfaces, self-driving cars or facial, voice and gesture recognition apps. How to filter out factors, describe patterns? Statistical methodologies (and the psychological/sociological theories they test or are based on) are crucial tools in understanding dynamics of behavior. The need for social science experts will arrive when people need to solve these problems, like with SEO/SEA, VR, gaming and narrativity - in their multidisciplinary contexts in various companies and industries.

Re: What the Next Generation Needs Is Math, Not Programming

#20

Post by joeclark77 »

paulojreis wrote: post #12

I'm going to deliberately try to be controversial, but in order to spur discussion. What the next generation needs is more soft/social sciences, not STEM. tl;dr of my point: we know dangerously more about technology than about people, their needs as individuals and their needs as a society. Somewhere along the line we should stop throwing technology at people just because we can, and start to focus on the right solut…

If by "soft/social sciences" you mean real substantive disciplines like history, philosophy, civics, and the arts, I agree with you.

Currently "social studies" in school is a bit of a trash bucket into which gets thrown every personal ideology and pet project that some teacher got her feminism or social work or grievance-studies BA in. It's the worst subject in most curricula, even worse than English. The problem is there's plenty of those nonsense degree holders and far too few college graduates who have studied the humanities.

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