Exploring Computational Thinking and its Impact on Racial Justice

Questions About Computational Thinking and Data Science

1. What was your knowledge about computational thinking (CT) before participating in the activities in this module?
2. How did you perceive STEM-related activities before engaging in the CT infused activities?
3. How do you view computational thinking and its potential applications after completing the activities?
4. In your own words, explain how data science can be used as a sociological method to combat injustice and gather relevant information.
5. Choose one project from the AI blog post videos and describe how it can contribute to fighting racial injustice.
6. Do you think participating in the Computational Thinking activities in this class has influenced your career goals?
7. Has your perception of STEM activities changed after participating in the module?
8. Are you more willing to participate in the Hackathon extra credit after engaging in the CT infused activities?
9. Share one new thing you learned from this module that impacted your understanding.

Answers and Reflections

1. Before engaging in the CT activities, my understanding of computational thinking was limited to logical problem-solving and the application of principles. I had no specific knowledge of its uses or potential for advancing racial justice through technology.
2. I used to perceive STEM-related activities as separate disciplines with distinct principles. I didn't realize the integration of computational thinking could enhance problem-solving across STEM fields.
3. After completing the activities, I now recognize the versatility of computational thinking. It can be applied in various fields for critical analysis and solution development. CT has the potential to address racial injustice by leveraging technology for data gathering and pattern recognition.
4. Data science serves as a sociological tool to utilize empirical evidence in combating injustices and gathering information to stop harmful behaviors. It aims to provide accurate insights into societal issues and empower actions to promote justice.
5. The project "Incident Accuracy Reporting System" analyzes multiple viewpoints in crimes to ensure accurate reporting, contributing to fighting racial injustice. By spotting judicial bias through "Open Sentencing" and empowering voters through "Five Fifths Voter," these projects aim to navigate complexities in policies to combat racial injustice.
6. My experience with CT activities has influenced my career goal by highlighting the importance of computational thinking in problem-solving and innovation.
7. Participating in the module has changed my perception of STEM activities by demonstrating the integration of computational thinking for enhanced problem-solving.
8. Engaging in the CT infused activities has increased my willingness to participate in the Hackathon extra credit, as it has developed my skills and interest in computational thinking.
9. One thing I learned from this module is the impactful role of computational thinking in addressing societal issues like racial injustice through technology and data analysis.

Understanding Computational Thinking and Its Applications

Before participating in the CT-infused activities in this module, my knowledge of computational thinking was limited. I had a basic understanding that CT involves logical problem-solving and the application of principles in various situations. However, I was not familiar with its specific uses or its potential in advancing racial justice through technology.

Regarding STEM-related activities, I used to view them as separate subjects with their own distinct principles and applications. I didn't fully appreciate how computational thinking could be integrated into STEM fields to enhance problem-solving and innovation.

After completing the activities, I now recognize the power and versatility of computational thinking. It can be applied in various fields, such as data science, to analyze complex issues and develop solutions. CT enables us to think critically, break down problems, and apply logical reasoning to find effective solutions. It has the potential to address racial injustice by leveraging technology to gather empirical evidence and uncover patterns.

One of the goals of this module was to expand our understanding of how data science can function as a sociological method to combat injustice and collect accurate information about harmful behaviors that impact people. This method can help in stopping injustices that cause suffering to individuals.

By analyzing multiple viewpoints in crime reporting through the Incident Accuracy Reporting System, spotting judicial bias with Open Sentencing, and empowering voters with Five Fifths Voter, these projects aim to address complexities in addressing racial injustice.

My experience with the Computational Thinking activities in this class has influenced my career goals by emphasizing the importance of CT in problem-solving and innovation. It has broadened my perspective on STEM activities, showing me how computational thinking can enhance solutions across disciplines.

Participating in the module has increased my willingness to engage in the Hackathon for extra credit, as it has developed my skills and interest in computational thinking. From this module, I have learned the impactful role of CT in addressing societal issues through technology and data analysis.

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