Chreia's, Maxim's and the Persuasive Essay

Computer Education: A Benefit of Detriment?

In a fast growing world, we rely on computers every moment of our day. In 2012 the United States Census Bureau found that 78.9% of the population owned a computer, and 74.8% of those computers access the internet; with a population of 312.8 million people, that means that approximately 234.124 million people have access to a computer. This makes a computer a valuable resource. A single computer can reach hundreds of millions of people, and can put anything you want at your fingertips. 31% of teens (12-17) have experienced online harassment (cyberbullying), and 97% of teens play computer, web, portable, or console games; 27% play games online with people they don't know. Now, when looking at this data, there must be one conclusion: computers are prevalent in our culture, and most teens use them for gaming and social activities. How productive can gaming or incessant socialization be? Not very! I propose that they should be taught how to manipulate a computer to do what they want, by learning code.

Steve Jobs once said, "I think everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer because it teaches you how to think." What he meant was that computer programing promotes critical thinking skills. Computer programs follow a rigid structure. You tell them to do this and they do exactly what you say, no more and no less. You have to analyze what you want to do and break it down into workable chunks, because I guarantee the developers of Pac-Man™ didn't sit down and just start typing away at their computers; Or Halo™, or Call of Duty™. It starts with an idea and forms as you create each piece. It is undeniable, then, that computer programming promotes critical thinking.

What are critical thinking skills? Martin Cothran, writer of Memoria Press' Logic curriculum said, "There is a seven-word answer to the question 'How do you define critical thinking skills?'—grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy." He later states it can be as more easily defined by Latin and Math. Why these pursuits? They teach a rigid form that allows students to analyze situations in a systematic fashion. He also says that his personal definition would be as simple as saying logic. That begs the question, "What is Logic?" Logic is the science of right thinking. It is impossible to live without rudimentary logic, that is, observing things and making judgements on them, such as observing a chair and saying that it is brown. But logic brings it into focus so that you can analyze things and structure arguments without flaws. All Logic is critical thinking, which means we all think critically on one stage or another. The more we learn to think critically the better we will learn to develop theories, opinions, and arguments with a structure, rhythm, and a flawless flow. It is undeniable, then, that critical thinking is important.

But what happens when that knowledge is given to a young mind? Are they mature enough to handle it? What happens when that prodigy you taught programming to goes on to become one of the creators of a widespread computer virus? How do we know that children will handle this knowledge delicately, as they should? The answer is: we don't. We cannot control a child or an adult when we give them knowledge that could potentially cripple multi-billion dollar corporations. However, most of this lies in how you teach them, stress the importance of computer safety and the usage of what they are learning. Make sure they understand the power they hold and how it should be used. The same is with anything you give a child, when you give a child a toy, how do you know they won't get hurt with it? You can't control a child's actions, only teach them and hope when faced with an opportunity that they will use this knowledge for the greater good of mankind. Therefore it is important to provide skills such as computer programing to increase ones mind and ability to think critically so that they are prepared to face what ever situation they may encounter.

So far we have established that Computers are a fundamental part of society, and that most teenagers from the ages of 12-17 use them. We addressed possible concerns about teaching computer education in schools. We also established that computer programming promotes critical thinking, and that critical thinking is important. So, if

Critical thinking is important.

and

Computer programming promotes critical thinking.

then

Computer programming must be important.

That is critical thinking, or logic at it's best.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Microsoft. Being Human: Human-Computer Interaction in the Year 2020. Cambridge: Microsoft, 2008. Microsoft. Web. 20 May 2014.

United States of America. US Census Bureau. Economics and Statistics Administration. Computer and Internet Use in the United States. By Thom File. May 2013. Web. 20 May 2014.

United States of America. United States Census Bureau. Economics and Statistics Administration. Measuring America: Computer and Internet Trends in America. United States Census Bureau, 3 Feb. 2014. Web. 20 May 2014.

Schlesinger, Robert. "U.S. Population 2012: Nearly 313 Million People." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 30 Dec. 2011. Web. 20 May 2014.

"Fast Facts." Fast Facts. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2010. Web. 20 May 2014.

"Internet Safety Statistics." Internet Safety Statistics. NetSmartz Workshop. Web. 20 May 2014. <http://www.netsmartz.org/safety/statistics>.

"Leaders and Trend-setters All Agree on One Thing." Code.org. Code.org. Web. 20 May 2014.

Cothran, Martin. "The Critical Thinking Skills Hoax | Memoria Press." Memoria Press. Memoria Press. Web. 20 May 2014.