Learning institutions should get back to basics

ITWeb often gets requests for advice on education from both students and lecturers. Questions range from whether Cobol or Java would be better choices for courses, to requests for our demographics for theses.

I find it a bit concerning that the folks who are meant to be teaching the computer wizards of the future have such a great problem with the basic definitions of computers and IT.

Jason Norwood-Young, Technology editor, ITWeb

We find it difficult to respond to these requests for a variety of reasons. Often we don`t have the time to prepare 10-page documents on the benefits of one programming language over another, and other times we don`t have the knowledge base to offer the best advice. Occasionally (such as when receiving requests for our user base statistics) we are simply not willing to respond.

One query that came our way recently did hold an interesting concern. The basis of the question was: "What is the difference between 'computers` and 'IT` in an academic context?" The student concerned did not know whether to study Computer Science or IT. Both have a similar curriculum, and yet they have different titles.

By definition, a 'computer` is a device for calculating problems and returning a result. IT is the industry that has grown up around computers, and apart from the machines themselves, is also concerned with how you manage the results or information once a computer has spat them out. Therefore, on the surface, an IT degree would be a broader level of education, while Computer Science should offer a greater depth of understanding and niche, hands-on skills.

In the real world, however, many universities, colleges and techs tend to offer 'IS` as opposed to 'IT`. I never studied Information Science so I`m not entirely sure of the syllabus, but those that I know who took the course said that it was a fairly useless but easy credit involving the study of information and its organisation. IT degrees seem to be more about Computer Science, and Computer Science is usually heavily slanted towards programming rather than computers as a whole, leaving the would-be student a little confused as to which course to take.

I find it a bit concerning that the folks who are meant to be teaching the computer wizards of the future have such a great problem with the basic definitions of computers and IT. I remember being taught that the 'CPU` was the big white box that sat under the monitor with the big IBM sticker on it; only to be told the next year (and with a new syllabus) that in fact the CPU is the processor - a small chip in the big white box with the 'Intel` logo.

The plea for help from professors is equally disturbing. We were recently asked whether Java or Cobol would be a better choice for a university`s syllabus. If lecturing professors cannot weigh the pros and cons of two programming languages, then why are they lecturing?

The bizarre part of these incidents is that both students and institutions of learning turn to an online news service for help. It seems that an independent academic advisory body is desperately needed in this country, for both students and the institutions of learning.