Why teach computer science & problem solving over rote coding?

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Because AI may soon automate rote aspects of coding.

A preview of DeepCoder on TechCrunch

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Elly

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Someone has to be able to code. If people are going to be able to grasp what AI is doing, and even more important, how to make sure that it doesn’t get out of control, then they need to understand how to code.

That is, unless we want to be ruled over by machines.

If only a small group of people know how to code, then they will be the only ones who can control the machines. They will therefore control everyone else via the AI machines.

It is scary to think that people could design and build robots which get smarter and smarter, at some point possibly outsmarting humans and therefore being out of the control of humans, that is, those humans who don’t know how to code.

Think of connected computer systems which get smarter and smarter. The possibility is there that at some point they could take over most/all other connected devices. How would you like your smart car to be taken over by one of those systems while you’re driving down the freeway at 70 MPH? Your stereo would say to you, “Give me your bank password, or you will lose control of this car.” You then find that you have no money in the bank.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 8.1 running in a VM

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Check out the free intro to computer science course at Harvard.  Very entertaining video presentations and lectures, with some challenging projects.

This is one of the most popular undergraduate courses at Harvard, even for non comp sci students.

The course is offered as a free MOOC via edX here: https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-computer-science-harvardx-cs50x

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Elly

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Highly recommended.

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Teaching techniques makes it possible for students to, independently, learn languages without a classroom environment.  From learning Fortran in such an environment, I have been able to independently teach myself other languages.  And, in turn, I ended being an instructor’s assistant!

Fortran, C++, R, Python, Java, Matlab, HTML, CSS, etc.... coding is fun!
A weatherman that can code

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Elly

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