Beyond the Ballot Box: Computer Science Education and Social Responsibility

摘要

On 2 November 2004, millions of Americans went to the polls and cast their vote for the person they felt would best determine the future of America. Young people constituted a crucial part of the deciding vote and many organizations from MTV to the presidential campaigns made considerable efforts to increase the political awareness and involvement of this demographic category, typically characterized as the 18-24 year-old voter. This attentiveness to youth participation in national politics, albeit commendable, should not begin and end on Election Day. All citizens have a responsibility to remain informed of government actions and to express their approval or disapproval though public elections, communication with their elected representatives, or participation in any number of public forums or community organizations. However, readers of this magazine have a particular responsibility as educators of the future generation of computer and technologically literate citizens.