Algorithms: The Ever-Growing, All-Knowing Way of the Future

Algorithms: The Ever-Growing, All-Knowing Way Of The Future, posted May 14, 2012.

Why I like this article:

• Good introductory article about a variety of uses of algorithms at a high level
• Good for one of the first (if not *the* first) week of class.

Discussion topics:

• How can algorithms be used for good?
• How can algorithms be used for evil?

Computer Science's Sputnik Moment

From the New York Times: Computer Science's Sputnik Moment? I had the students read the overview and three opinions and say which they agreed with and which they didn't. The opinions give students a variety of perspectives and things to think about. I was a little surprised by how interesting the students found this, since the articles were "just" opinions.

Google's n-grams

Digitized book project unveils a quantitative "cultural genome"

While I don't usually like to use press releases, this one is better than the other articles I found about the project.

Why I like this article:

• a concrete article of something a CS1 student could write (processing text file, counting the number of words, using lists/dictionaries) on a small scale
• a surprising application of computer science
• discussion question: does adding computing take the "art" out of humanities?

Updated Resources

We added a resources page, which has links to a preprint of the paper, our SIGCSE 2012 presentation slides, and our newly created wiki. 

Cyborg Lawyer Demands Software Source

• Cyborg lawyer demands software source 
• Life-giving software should be open: GNOME Foundation chief

SOPA and PIPA

Forbes: What are SOPA and PIPA and Why All the Fuss?

Internet Search and Politics

Santorum asks Google to change its search results

Why I Like This Article:

• very relevant to students' lives
• questions about how Google's search algorithm works
• discussion of the power/impact of a search engine