Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: C omputing for Social Good in Education (CSG- Ed) engages students with the positive potential of computing to benefit society.It can introduce students to aspects of professional responsibility, something computing students need more than ever given the extensive impact of computing on organizations and individuals.CSG-Ed also has many connections to the CS2023 Computing Curriculum emphasis on Society, Ethics, and the Profession.This article introduces CSG-Ed, discusses the development of CSG-Ed, and provides examples and best practices for CSG-Ed in undergraduate computing programs. ARTICLES CS2023 Computing for Social Good in EducationACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct [7], for example in sections 1.1 and 1.5.Similarly, the Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice [42] clearly addresses notions of social responsibility of software engineers including in sections 1.03 and 1.08.Robust CSG-Ed is important to ensure that students understand not only the "do no harm" aspect of professional responsibility, but also the opportunity and responsibility for computing professionals to improve society.The need for computing students to develop a sense of social responsibility is partially addressed in the ACM Computer Science Curriculum Recommendation Society, Ethics, and Professionalism (SEP) Knowledge Area [21].The SEP knowledge area and CSG-Ed have a natural synergy where the incorporation of CSG-Ed throughout the curriculum prompts discussion around the question "What is the social responsibility of computing professionals?"These discussions will allow social responsibility to be explored as part of student learning.CSG-Ed also provides computing education in the authentic computing environment of a visible social issue.An authentic computing environment reflects real-world development and may include industry standard tools and technologies, professional practices, and real stakeholders.Learning within this context helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.Students learn to think about the root causes of social issues and consider multiple perspectives.It also bridges the gap between theory and practice, between academia and the real-world.This enriched learning environment [15] requires that students design under real-world constraints [5].Many academic institutions have the promotion of social good as part of their mission.Liberal arts institutions in particular may have humanitarian goals and CSG-Ed is one way for computing departments to support the larger mission of their institutions.Indeed, many institutions have programs, organizations or clubs devoted CS + Social Good including Stanford [71], University of Delaware [75], UNC Chapel Hill [20], Georgia Tech [32], and NYU [60].CSG-Ed may also help academic institutions fulfill accreditation and professional education requirements.CSG-Ed can provide students with skills required by the current job market.It may also open opportunities for student employment and entrepreneurship in areas such as civic tech and social applications.As social problems are situated within a particular context and domain, CSG-Ed is a natural vehicle for interdisciplinary collaborations.CSG-Ed allows computing students to understand user needs while also grasping the constraints that context places on solutions.Some natural interdisciplinary areas are computing and sociology where students can work to solve
Source: ACM Inroads
DOI: 10.1145/3699719
Language: English
Subfield: Computer Science Applications
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4404236043