Computer science education: why does it suck so much and what if it didn’t? | Ashley Gavin | TEDxNYU

Ashley’s talk shines a light on the major problem that is American Computer Science education. In 2020, 1.4 million new jobs will be available for those with competing backgrounds, but we’ll only have engineers to fill two-thirds of them. Ashley shows us how we can right this wrong.

Ashley Gavin is a computer science education consultant with a passion for making computer science curricula empowering, accessible, and above all, fun. Her work in curriculum and program development serves as the foundation for some of the finest educational organizations in the country including her brainchild “Girls Who Code”.

During high school, Ashley was actively interested in tech. However, she was denied access to computer science courses at her school due her failing grades in math and science. In her senior year, the newly appointed CS teacher noticed her affinity for tech and took a risk by letting her drop math and take computer science instead. Ashley has since been working to do so for as many students as possible, especially those in underrepresented groups.

[oscarcastanedamunoz]

The less people going into computer science, the more the people calling me a genius.

[Noelianc-expf]

Wow 5 years have passed. Ashley Gavin is a great comedian and an amazing podcast host! Crazy to see where people come from

[m.houdeib]

This TED Talk encouraged me to go into computer science. Now I'm in my second year in college and I love it

[jking]

show me a java dev that doesnt know what "static" means and I'll show you a java dev that shouldn't have a job...

[asianbatman]

I feel bad for her cuz nobody laughed at her jokes.

[rohithmalangi]

When she said only 8% of people in computer science are of color, I was like wait, my AP CSA class is literally 60% indian

[VictorVonGrooove]

Her first stand up gig! She nailed it!

[JessieZimmer]

Thank you so much for this speech. I'm a 32 year old looking to study CS in the Spring semester of 2016. I was feeling *super* overwhelmed by the "math" aspect and this was ... just what I needed to hear. Thank you so much.

[YohanesMarioChandra]

I think she's talking about software engineering education, not computer science education. Math is an integral part of computer science, because math is the language of science. If you took math from computer science, by definition, you took science out of computer science, which is quite bizarre.

[MADMACHlNE]

"Computer scientists are second in terms of job satisfaction"
_(shows images of three multi-billionaire CEOs)_

[infamouskid]

she has her degree in CS and never took pre calc?

[Jadinandrews]

5:35 the moment she realised her boss is listening..

[jordos]

Last night, I was watching computerphile. I fell asleep on autoplay and woke up at 3am to this.

[GashDusen]

This video: "Coding isn't all about math! Coding is easy!"
Comments section: "WELL ACKCHYUALLY..."

[kris]

“Despite this, no one takes it”

Well 4 years later it feels like everyone takes it.

[AashishBharat]

Studying computer science is my dream. Due to circumstances, I unfortunately couldn't study it. I am still trying my best to learn a little about it through online courses while working.

[chase_like_the_bank]

Any computer scientist who doesn't know what the 'static' keyword is should be fired from life.

[JS-mnxs]

Comedy was always in your blood Ashley. The jokes in between were hilarious. However after listening to this talk I'm a little sad that you left the field coz I'm guessing you were great at it just like you're great now at comedy and podcasting. Would love to hear this story on the whgs podcast in one dedicated episode

[cman]

Whaaa??? Computer Sci without Pre-cal even?? I myself am contemplating Computer or Mechanical Engineering..so I had had to double check the course catalog for CS here. You DEFINITELY have to take at least 2 levels of Calculus for Comp Sci, 4 levels of it for Comp Engineering. I understand that they're trying to make CS look more palatable to the regular Joe/Jane, but..this is like flat out lying.

[simoneanthony]

I'm in the comp sci major. I love computer science when I learn and practice it on my own but when I'm in class, it's terribly boring.