Reading, Writing, Arithmetic—and Computational Thinking?

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Jeannette Wing

Jeannette Wing, one of the world’s leading computer scientists and the president’s professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University, will discuss her vision for the 21st century during a talk 1 p.m. Nov. 5 in Rochester Institute of Technology’s B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences auditorium.

Wing believes computational thinking will be a fundamental skill—suggesting that computational thinking will be just as important as reading, writing and arithmetic in a child’s analytical skill-set. Computational thinking involves solving problems, designing systems and understanding human behavior by drawing on concepts fundamental to computer science.

“Thinking like a computer scientist means more than being able to program a computer,” Wing says. “It requires the ability to abstract and thus to think at multiple levels of abstraction.”

Her talk, which is part of the Golisano College’s annual Dean’s Lecture Series, will provide examples of computational thinking and promote the idea that teaching computational thinking will inspire future generations to enter the computing disciplines and benefit people in all fields.

“Dr. Wing shares our belief that educating students in the fields of computing and information sciences is critical,” says Jorge Díaz-Herrera, dean of the college. “We look forward to hearing her articulate her vision on the increasing role of computational thinking in general education.”

Registration is free but seating is limited.