Computer Science Algorithms: Understanding With Indigenous Philosophy

For those who struggle to grasp the highly abstract and disparate concepts taught in computer science, this class may help to reframe things. As an Indigenous educator, I use my worldview and philosophies to shape experiences and interactions. In this class, I associate patterns in the natural world to computer science algorithms, showing how these ideas are real and exist because of the laws of physics themselves (that everything must follow). 

We will go through some basics in computer science, such as what binary really is (physically speaking), and how programming languages make computers do things. We will cover some history as well, which will serve to link computer science with mathematics. I will also cover the main parts of the algorithm as I understand them, showing how each part follows the same patterns that exist all around us in nature. 

We will discuss how people organize their coding ideas using flow charts and pseudocode, but emphasizing the creative and individual nature of coding. As we do this, we will also cover elements of my worldview and how they connect to these ideas, showing how we are always connected to everything in nature (even computers). 

I take a visual and tangible, discussion-based approach to abstract learning, hoping all participants are present and along for the ride. I encourage idea sharing and questions, as well as conversation. I believe in exploration and shared learning, and have much gratitude for all that I've learned in my interactions with young people.