Computer Science in your life
18.0. Overview

Computers are everywhere. Computers do everything. Computers do anything.

This class has been a very small introduction to ways people use computers, to write code, to create websites, to communicate...

Let's talk about that some more.

18.1. Computers are everywhere

Obviously. You don't need me to tell you this. Computers have become part of everything we do, from using your phone to driving a car to ordering a burger at In-N-Out. Everything uses computers.

The more you know about computers—using them to communicate, using them to analyze data (spreadsheets!), programming the to solve problems, play games, or display websites—the better off your life will be.

18.1.2. This class

We've learned a tiny little bit about computers in here.

• Computational thinking
• Programming using some JavaScript
• Output, Input, Calculating with numbers, looking at Strings
• Functions
• Conditionals ( if-else statements)
• Loops ( while and for loops)
• Web design with HTML, CSS
• Text editing
• File management
• Front-end design (website)
• Refactoring
• Using an integrated development environment (replit, editor.p5js.org)

You should keep a list of all the things that we've done in here. (Save this page? Copy this website?)

18.1.3. Leverage Your Experiences

On your resume and on your college applications, people will want to know about your experiences in this Computer Science class. You should tell them about it. It turns out that Computer Science is kind of a big deal.

You should also keep an archive of your work in this class.

18.1.4. Leverage Your Contacts

People are social, and we benefit from our interactions with each other.

Some people in your life are available to help, and you should use your contacts, friends, family, teachers, and business connections to help you as you advance through life.

Letters of recommendation, etc.

It is often helpful to be able to check back in with a teacher at some point later. You might need a copy of the work you did in here. You might need a letter of recommendation for school or work. Keep a copy of my email address in the chance it might be useful to you.

• rwhite@polytechnic.org
• rwhite@crashwhite.com

18.1.6. Imposter Syndrome

Do you know what this is? You might have it...

You need to find a way to fight it.

18.1.7. Use your privilege to support others

How can a man support women in technology? How can a white person support People of Color?

• Listen to women and learn about their experiences.
• Listen to People of Color and learn about their experiences.
• Amplify the voices of people you think should be heard.
• Stand up for voices that might otherwise be overlooked.

18.1.8. What do "computer people" look like?

If you get interested in learning more about technology, there is so much that you can learn online and in classes.

Here are some others:

18.1.9. Next steps

And you? If you want to learn more, there has literally never been a better time to start to learn about computers. Everything is on the internet!

• If you have a computer, you can start learning more about programming right now.
1. Watch YouTube videos like this one and off you go!
2. Follow a free course at code.org.
3. Sign up for a free course at udacity.com.
• If you don't have a computer, figure out how to get one. You don't need a fancy one to get started learning.
• You can actually start learning on your phone or table. Follow along with those videos shown above while you figure out how to get a computer.
• One really cool way to learn about computers is to run a small simple one like a Raspberry Pi.