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NYT Essay - I Teach Computer Science, and That Is All - August West - 05-02-2025
Harvard Prof's point of view. Apt and timely. It certainly resonates with me in terms of teaching and learning.
NYT Gift Link
Re: NYT Essay - I Teach Computer Science, and That Is All - Lemon Drop - 05-02-2025
I had mixed feelings on reading that. I think he's right to insist on academic responsibility and focus from his students.
But I don't think it is realistic to expect young adults to not engage in political or social activism while at college. There's free speech, for one thing. Freedom to assemble. Freedom to form affinity groups.
When exceptional and highly disturbing world events occur, such as the oct. 7 terror attack on Israel, strong emotions and responses will follow.
We have to leave space for that in this free society. (And also make students do their homework. .)
Re: NYT Essay - I Teach Computer Science, and That Is All - JoeH - 05-02-2025
Personally to me he comes off as a bit of a pompous a@s. I have run into more than a few of his type working at a university for over 30 years. Those types I don't miss at all now that I am retired.
Re: NYT Essay - I Teach Computer Science, and That Is All - August West - 05-02-2025
I'm a big fan of academic rigor and I absolutely desire focus on the classwork when I am in a class. If there are tremendously disturbing events in the world, make a choice to leave them outside the room or not attend class. It's a skill you must learn to practice as an adult, why should it be left out of the classroom?
Re: NYT Essay - I Teach Computer Science, and That Is All - bfd - 05-03-2025
All academics are experts on narrow topics. Even when they intersect with the real world, our expertise in the facts does not give us authority over politics.
… but your duty as a citizen should "trump" all that when it's necessary. When you see s-hit, you better call s-hit. Social Justice demands it.
Or hide behind a mantle of regalia and pretend 'it's not my problem"
If you aren't part of a solution, you are likely part of the problem.
Re: NYT Essay - I Teach Computer Science, and That Is All - cbelt3 - 05-03-2025
Bollocks. Teachers who are committed to the future of their students not only expect academic rigor, they also expect the possibility of a good future for their students. My Dad taught Geology. And he also developed an entire environmental educational program. “But it’s not about rocks !”
“We live on the surface of our planet. What happens in our biome is immediate and critical.”