Report from Group 4

Inhibitors and Strategies

Oct. 28, 2005

Inhibitors with accompanying strategies

1. Lack of vision for “computing” disciplines for the future

a. Task force made up of visionary faculty from the five computing disciplines, industry representatives, government representatives and accreditation representatives should be established to create over-arching vision statement for computing of the future (10 years and beyond)

b. Ontology effort, Computing Curriculum 2005 and model curricula can be studied for current baselines and conversation starters

2. Lack of common core across current computing disciplines; fragmentation/silo effects have been created for separate areas – CS, IT, SwE, IS, CpE

a. The task force mentioned in #1 should establish a common core based on the future computing vision

3. Lack of funding for college/university implementation of Computing Curricula 2010-2015 recommendations

a. Establish funding from government and industry sources

b. Creation of the National Computing Foundation (NCF)

c. Connect with state/regional funding sources

4. Formal model curricula, Computing Curriculum 2005, IT Model Curriculum 2005, etc. should be on a continuous improvement cycle (5 years) – major and minor revision cycle

a. Professional organizations should assume this recommended cycle

b. Professional organizations should consider appropriate linkages with accreditation boards

5. Misconceptions about the fields and professions of computing, and unwarranted negativity of the profession keep students from considering and pursuing computing degrees and careers.  Two of the areas that need to be addressed (especially for minorities and women) are the concepts of creativity in computing, and computing as a social activity that requires teamwork and collaborative activities in the work environment (such as assisting users).

a. Government agencies, industry partners and private foundations, such as the National Academy of Science should create and fund public service announcements that dispel the myths, rumors and negativities of computing careers.  These announcements will be used to raise the awareness and excitement for careers in computing.  We need positive role models including young people for these adds.

b. Creation of computer based instructional materials for elementary and middle schools to develop an awareness of the rewards of computing careers.

c. Local colleges/universities establish connections with middle and high schools to help educate teachers, counselors, students and parents concerning the computing profession, career paths and the rewards of pursuing post-secondary computing education. 

d. Increase scholarships for students choosing computing majors by seeking external funding from business partners, advisory boards, professional organizations and private foundations.  

6.  Uneven quality of teacher preparation and enthusiasm for teaching math in K-12.  Many elementary teachers convey their own insecurities, distaste and fears about math to the students.  There is a lack of certified math teachers in middle and high school.

a. Colleges/universities need to address the math phobias for elementary teachers in their methods classes.

b. Schools need to increase the number of certified math teachers for middle and high school.

c. Colleges/universities need to offer courses for teacher education in logical thinking and problem solving.

James Cross

Cheryl Willis

Sandeep Gupta

Phil Pfeiffer

Becky Rutherfoord