One of my biggest challenges is getting students in my Technology Applications course to understand the value of coding and technology in our everyday lives. Yes, students use technology every single day. They don't even know what life was like without a smart phone, and yet, they don't seem to question how this technology works or appreciate the massive impact technology in our lives today.
Determined to bring the real world into the classroom more, I recently added on to my introductory Algorithms lesson. I typically introduce algorithms with the Friendship Algorithm featured on The Big Bang Theory. Sure, this is a great hook, and an awesome introduction to flow charts, as well, but I still wanted more.
I found four super interesting articles featuring "algorithms in the real world." I've linked them here:
Mercedes' Self-Driving Cars Will Save Passengers, Not Bystanders
What Happens When Algorithms Design a Concert Hall?
Every Trump Tweet Activates Thousands of Algorithms
Facebook Trending Topics Algorithm Changes to Better Reflect Real News
I kept things simple: I printed copies of the articles, each on their own color of paper. I passed the articles out to the students so that each student read one. Using the traditional jigsaw strategy, students then matched up with the other three colors of articles and shared what they read about.
Perhaps the most interesting article was the one on self-driving cars and the "kill the driver or kill the pedestrian" algorithm. The article led us into rich discussion about ethics and the role of humans in designing technology. We also spent some time debating the "trending topics" algorithm. Do algorithms designed to show us what interests us make the Internet more appealing to us or simply keep us wrapped up in our own bubble?
It seems really corny, but as I took in the discussion, I saw the faces of some of my students light up. It was a humbling reminder that as much as my students can't wait to get to work on their computers, it's so important to also TALK about technology and the effect it has on us.
