Computers in Goa’s High-School Curriculum

By

Brian Antao, Ph.D.

Goa has a unique program in the country as far as Computers in education goes, which is the Cyberage scheme. The Cyberage scheme has brought computers to the reach of a large majority of Goan high-school students, and recently the program has been extended to the Higher-secondary students as well. Following up on this Cyberage scheme, it is time for Goa to be the leader in a related area – To formally introduce a compulsory subject on the basics of computer technology in the high-school curriculum.

Many Goans, both students as well as teachers seem to be at a loss for words on what to do with the computers that they have got through the Cyberage scheme. Many are techno-phobic and have not even availed of this facility. For many these computers, or more specifically the personal computer (PC) is seen as just a way to access the Internet and for email. Using the PC for Internet access, email and chat is certainly one good home use for the computer. Email has evolved to being a business standard for communication in the developed countries. The “Chat” programs such as Yahoo!Chat, MSN etc. are good ways for the new tech-savvy youngsters to engage in-group discussions with their friends-circles. Access to the Internet gives one the gateway to the entire world of the global world-wide-web, where if this access is used intelligently, provides a wealth of information on a myriad of topics. In this regard a lot is needed in Goa in terms of improving the broadband Internet infrastructure. The government has undertaken an ambitious project to provide broadband Internet access throughout the state. The government has also embarked on implementing e-Governance widely across the state.

Now that we have the essential ingredients, the computers provided by the Cyberage scheme and a good broadband Internet infrastructure, we need to address the issue on how to progress Goa to being the leading Computer savvy state in India. Goa can take a lead in this direction by introducing a new compulsory subject on Computers in the high-school curriculum. This would be in the form of an additional compulsory subject and would best be introduced from standard Eight (VIII) upwards to H.S.S.C. standard Twelve (XII). With the S.C.C. and the H.S.S.C. Exams upgraded to have an additional compulsory paper in “Computer Technology”.

The subject of “Computer Technology” introduced through the early high-school stage would ensure that Goa’s high-school graduates are computer-savvy. This subject of “Computer Technology” would be based on teaching many of the basics of computers, starting with the basics of Boolean algebra and discrete mathematics, to use of different software packages such as Word processors, spread-sheets, databases, elementary computer programming etc. High School students should also be encouraged to utilize computer packages such as the Word processor for writing up their home-work assignments, term-papers, reports etc.

A basic outline for introducing the compulsory subject “Computer Technology” in the high-school curriculum would be as follows:

Standard VIII: Elementary Boolean Algebra—this is all about computing with binary numbers, and introducing the students to the binary number system, and the associated binary number algebra. For the most part high-school students by the time they reach standard VII, have completed and achieved a fairly good level of mathematics training. So it would not be too hard on them towards the end of studying the binary system of numbers and elementary Boolean algebra. Having a good grasp of the binary number system is critical for being good at computing technology. As a computer processes everything in terms of bits, numbers in the binary system, just ones and zeros. All forms of data, including text characters are converted through the layers of software and hardware that a computer system is made up of and ultimately gets computed in the binary form. In addition the syllabus would also contain elementary computer basics, such as what the computer is made up of, the generic architecture – a central processor, memory, storage devices, display and input devices.

Standard IX: Elementary Discrete Mathematics – this topic builds up on the formal theory of binary numbers and Boolean algebra and is an essential theoretical foundation for good computer understanding. In addition to this mathematical component the syllabus would also contain intermediate computer basics, which builds up on the content covered in the previous year. Discrete Mathematics includes topics in basics of set theory, logic, combinatorics and graph theory. The fundamental mathematics taught in these two years is critical to understanding computer languages and to the development of good programming skills. Discrete mathematics is an exciting and rapidly growing area of mathematics, which has important applications in many high technology areas. For example, “secure” Internet communications, efficient storage of data and robust communication networks.

Standard X: Elementary data-structures -- A data-structure is an elementary and essential building block, which is used to develop computer programs. It is essential to have a good grasp on the different types of data-structures that are used in the different styles of computer programming. More details on the computer architecture, how computers are connected to each other and talk/communicate with each other, and how the computer connects to the Internet. Included would be a few technical details on things like email, and Computer laboratory assignments on using the Word processor, spreadsheets and “intelligent use of the Internet” to access information.

Standard XI: Introduction to computer programming – The topics covered in standards VIII-X lay the formal theoretical foundation essential for a good understanding of computer technology, not just the software aspects but hardware as well. The syllabus would cover all aspects of computer programming using the C-programming language, which is best suited as a computer programming language to instruct on all aspects of programming. Using the C-programming language some basic hardware dependent issues, such as memory allocation etc. also need to be addressed, which gives the student a good understanding on the need to be aware of certain hardware related issues in software design and development. In addition the choice of C-programming language is very convenient to set up Computer laboratories, as a public domain GNU C compiler is available under the Linux Operating system, making it very inexpensive to set up Computer laboratory assignments.

Standard XII: Computer Organization and Networking – The syllabus for this course would cover more formal architectures used in computers, microprocessors, data storage etc. The syllabus would also include essentials of computer networking both the hardware elements, and an elementary study of computer software networking protocols. Computer laboratory assignments would include experiments with programming with the computer software networking protocols.

With the above new stream of a compulsory subject in “Computer Technology” introduced in Goa’s high-school curriculum. Goa’s high-school students would be the first in the nation to be receiving a high-quality computer education as part of their high-school education, thus making the Goan high-school graduate very computer savvy. The syllabus chosen above for the compulsory subject of “Computer Technology” is based on instilling the core fundamentals necessary for a good understanding of computers. These fundamentals of computer technology would better prepare the students to apply computer technology in any discipline that they wish to specialize in after H.S.S.C.

In addition to introducing the “Computer technology” compulsory subject in the high-school curriculum. With the students being granted computers via the Cyberage scheme, it is important that the students put the computers to productive use. Thus in addition it should be also be made mandatory that students submit all their homework assignments etc. making use of their computers. Using the word processor to write essays, using email to communicate with their teachers. The teachers should be accessible to their students via email. Where students can email their teachers any questions or doubts, and the teachers email back responses.

Another much needed and easily affordable extension of the Cyberage scheme is providing each “recognized” high school in Goa with a computer server to network their computers. The schools should develop their own web portals and get it professionally hosted, along with acquiring an email service. Teachers and students from Standard VIII upward each would have their own email ID, and can use email for communication.  Even though the Internet is quite proliferated in Goa, sadly, not even the major high-schools in Goa have a web site or email contact information with the principals, teachers etc. Using a password-based access, teachers in high-schools can post home-work assignments on their high-school’s web-portal, and encourage a mechanism for students to digitally submit their home-work assignments online. The grades on the home-works and various tests and exams would also be posted on the school’s web-portal. This form of interaction would introduce a framework of e-learning in Goa’s high-school curriculum. A similar e-learning infrastructure could easily be adapted to the higher-levels of education in the state, at the Goa University and its various affiliated colleges.

(The author has considerable experience in research and development in computer technology, He has an earned Ph.D. In Electrical and Computer Engineering from Vanderbilt University, USA, and until recently upon his return to Goa was a Professor of Computer Engineering at the Padre Conceicao College of Engineering, Goa.)