An interesting, none too technical (lots of pretty graphs) pdf presentation about the rapidly increasing demand for computer science programs in colleges across the US. Not only is the demand for actual degrees up, but the number of people who are even taking one or two courses to gain some experience in the field is up as well.
“Possibly students are figuring out that fields from anthropology to zoology are becoming information fields, and that those who can bend the power of the computer to their will – computational thinking, but also computer science in greater depth – will be positioned for greater success than those who can’t.”
My favourite recommendation from the piece: “Have a beer while the students use Coursera”
I’d be curious to know if this trend is going to hold up. Will the generation of kids in our middle and high schools who are getting access to Scratch, Raspberry Pi, Arduinos, 3D printers and makerspaces continue along this route?