17 Jun
2004
17 Jun
'04
11 a.m.
I don't dispute you _can_ teach real computing
using PCs,
A lot depends on what you consider "real" computing. There
are plenty of people who do just software (as there are
plenty who do just hardware - those who changed their minds
at one point or another do VLSI:-)).
As far as the world of work seems to be concerned, it seems
that industry mostly wants software engineers who do just
software (and hardware engineers who do just hardware). Not
much in the way of extra credits for straying into the
other field. I've always worked in an environemnt where
being close enough to the metal to cut yourself is normal,
but I do realise that for 99.9% of software engineers,
that's not reality.
As for schools (in the UK sense - up to 18 years of age or so),
the IT they teach is basically aimed at getting kids to be
familiar with computers and what they can do. Word Processing,
Spreadsheets, Presentations. Not much in the way of programming
of any sort (except maybe a smattering of HTML - assuming you
class that as programming). That's OK - 99.99% of people will
not ever need more than that. Those who do want more than
that can go and take Engineering as a GCSE option (GCSE=
exam taken at 16) and build real stuff.
However, I can assure you this is not what happens in
the UK.
Beebs were
used to teach computing (as in programming, interfacing (remember the
Beeb had a built in ADC and user port), etc). PCs are not.
I left school just as the 380Z was appearing. A few of us were
interested in computers and electronics and did some basic
interfacing (lights control for the school play, that sort
of thing) but that was completely outside of the school
system. I'm just grateful they didn't try to stop us.
I can just imagine Health & Safety now: no supervision,
building mains-connected electronics, climbing scaffolding
to attach the heavy rented lights to the ceiling bars ...
right above where the audience is sitting. My son's will
be starting GCSE next year - I'll have to keep an eye
on him :-)
And FWIW, according to the current UK educational
standards I
don't know
how to use a computer (!)...
I *think* the Computer Science O-Level had just come in
when I was doing those exams. It didn't look terribly
interesting so noone bothered. I don't think I have
any computing related qualification either. It's not
something that bothers me too much as long as I'm
having fun an being paid!
Would the BCS accept you as a member? (Leaving
aside the issue of whether anyone in the UK
actually cares ...)
Antonio
--
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Antonio Carlini arcarlini(a)iee.org