3 Skills Students Learn From Computer Science Courses

Computer science combines science and technology to highlight innovation. Students enrolled in computer science courses in a K-12 setting have the opportunity to learn high-performing and successful skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and perseverance. 

Critical Thinking 

Computer science puts students in a rigorous and enriching environment that builds their ability to judge, analyze, and synthesize information. Computer science curriculum standards like the Computer Science Teachers Association’s K-12 Computer Science Standards and California's K-12 Computer Science Standards include critical thinking skills. Students need to break a complex problem into more manageable tasks, recognize patterns and filter out unnecessary information, create steps to achieve certain goals, and test and revise the created solution to ensure it’s the best one. Like Steve Jobs said, “Coding teaches you how to think.”

Problem-solving 

Students are exposed to diverse problems in computer science that encourage them to think of creative ways to solve problems. To implement a solution to a computer science problem students must use all six categories of Bloom’s Taxonomy (remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, and create) all in one space. For instance, students could learn how to create a database or write a program that controls an LED – taking them from just recalling basic concepts to producing original work. 

Perseverance

Mistakes are bound to happen in computer science. Students who take computer science courses learn that it’s okay to “mess up” as long as they keep working to correct the errors. Students learn resilience when faced with problems in which they don’t instantly know the solution. Computer science allows students the opportunity to struggle forward and empowers them to confidently try again if they don’t get the problem right the first time. Through computer science, students learn that mistakes don’t equal failure; they simply mean to try a different approach.

To learn more about getting access to a computer science program for your school and giving your students an opportunity to develop their critical thinking, problem-solving, and perseverance through an enriching educational experience, go to AiTudier.com. 

Article written by Bridget Mitchell, AiTudier Copywriter