Here’s the next in our series addressing topics of college education–its importance in today’s changing work environment, how it translates to success in the classroom, and more. From the Ask a Tech Teacher team: “Should You Study Computer Science in 2026? What You Need to Know Before You Commit”:

Choosing a major can feel like you’re being asked to predict your whole future before you’ve even figured out next semester. Computer science attracts a lot of attention for good reason, but it’s also surrounded by hype, confusion, and some very loud opinions online. If you’re thinking about this path in 2026, you need a realistic view of the work, the skills, and the opportunities so you can decide whether it actually fits you.

Source: Pexels

Why the Degree Still Matters in a Skills-First Job Market

You’ve probably seen people say you don’t need a degree because you can learn everything on YouTube, GitHub, or coding bootcamps. Part of that is true. You can learn a lot on your own, especially the basics.

Still, a degree gives you structure, depth, and a more complete foundation. It forces you into concepts many self-taught learners skip, like computational theory or memory management. Those topics aren’t flashy, but they matter once software gets bigger, faster, and messier.

Employers also still use degrees as a filter, especially for internships, graduate roles, and international hiring. If you’re comparing routes, exploring a computer science bachelors degree program can help you see how formal study is designed to build both technical skill and long-term adaptability.

What Computer Science Actually Covers

If you hear “computer science” and picture someone typing furiously in a dark room, you’re getting the cinematic version, not the academic one. Computer science is broader than coding alone.

You’ll usually study programming, algorithms, data structures, software engineering, databases, operating systems, networking, and cybersecurity. Many programs also include math-heavy areas like discrete mathematics, logic, and statistics. A few dip into artificial intelligence, machine learning, and human-computer interaction.

The key point is simple: you’re not only learning how to make software work. You’re learning how to think about systems, efficiency, problem-solving, and design. That’s useful in almost every industry, from health care to finance to gaming.

The Real Skills You Need Beyond Coding

A lot of students enter computer science because they enjoy technology, then get blindsided by everything that isn’t pure coding. Writing software is only part of the job. Explaining your decisions, debugging under pressure, and working with a team matter just as much.

You’ll need patience, because bugs can be absurdly stubborn. You’ll need communication skills, because “it works on my machine” is not a winning strategy in group projects or workplaces. You’ll need time management, because one missed assignment in a technical class can snowball fast.

Problem-solving is the real engine here. Good students don’t just memorize syntax. They break problems into smaller parts, test ideas, and revise when things fail. That process can be frustrating, but it’s also where the actual learning happens.

What the Coursework Feels Like Day to Day

Computer science often sounds exciting in the abstract, but the day-to-day experience is where your decision gets real. Most weeks involve lectures, labs, projects, reading, and a surprising amount of troubleshooting.

One assignment might ask you to build a simple app. Another might involve analyzing algorithm efficiency or debugging code that refuses to cooperate for reasons known only to the compiler gods. Exams may test theory as much as practical programming.

The pace can be intense. Technical courses often stack concepts quickly, and each new topic depends on understanding the previous one. If you fall behind in programming fundamentals, later classes won’t exactly wait politely. Students who do best usually build a routine early and ask for help before confusion turns into a full system crash.

Career Paths Are Wider Than Most People Expect

You might associate computer science with software development only, but that’s just one lane on a very crowded highway. A strong computer science background can lead to roles across many sectors.

Common paths include software engineer, web developer, app developer, data analyst, cybersecurity specialist, systems administrator, cloud engineer, QA tester, and machine learning engineer. Some graduates move into product management or technical consulting, where communication and strategy play a bigger role.

Industry matters too. Banks need secure systems. Hospitals need data tools and software support. Schools need edtech platforms. Retail brands rely on e-commerce infrastructure. Even agriculture uses automation and analytics now. The field is less about joining one specific industry and more about bringing technical problem-solving into whichever industry interests you.

AI Has Changed the Field, but Not in the Way People Think

Artificial intelligence has absolutely changed computer science, and yes, students are asking whether AI will replace programmers. Short answer: no, though it is reshaping the work.

AI tools can generate code snippets, explain syntax, and speed up repetitive tasks. That helps, but it doesn’t remove the need for human judgment. Somebody still needs to define the problem, evaluate outputs, spot security risks, and understand whether the solution makes sense in the real world.

In fact, AI raises the value of strong fundamentals. If a tool gives you buggy, inefficient, or unsafe code, you need enough knowledge to catch it. Otherwise, you’re basically accepting mystery meat software. Employers increasingly want people who can work with AI tools without outsourcing their brain to them.

How to Tell if This Major Fits You

You do not need to be a genius, and you definitely do not need to have built an app at age twelve. That myth scares off plenty of capable students. What matters more is whether you enjoy solving structured problems and can stick with a challenge after the first failed attempt.

A few signs of fit are easy to spot:

– You like figuring out how systems work
– You can handle trial and error without giving up immediately
– You’re comfortable learning technical material step by step
– You enjoy logic, patterns, or building things that function
– You can work independently and also collaborate when needed

If you hate ambiguity, frustration, and long debugging sessions, the field may feel rough. Then again, many students grow into those skills over time. Interest plus persistence often beats early confidence.

How to Prepare Before You Enroll

You don’t need a perfect plan, but you should avoid going in blind. Start by trying a beginner programming course in Python or JavaScript. If you enjoy the process, that’s useful information. If you despise every minute, that’s useful too.

Brush up on math, especially algebra and logical reasoning. Read sample course lists from universities and compare them with your goals. Talk to current students if you can. Ask what surprised them, what was hardest, and what they wish they had known earlier.

Also think practically about cost, schedule, class format, internship access, and support services. A program isn’t only about prestige. It’s about whether you can learn well there, stay on track, and build experience while studying.

Final Thoughts Before You Choose

Computer science can open serious opportunities, but it isn’t a magic ticket and it isn’t easy money with a keyboard attached. It rewards curiosity, consistency, and the ability to keep learning long after one class ends.

If you want a field that mixes technical depth with real-world problem-solving, it deserves a close look. If you prefer work with less screen time, less abstraction, or less constant change, another path may fit better. The smart move isn’t following hype. It’s choosing a direction that matches how you learn, what you enjoy, and the kind of work you can see yourself doing when the novelty wears off.

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Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

Here are the most-read posts last month:

1. Subscriber Special: Discount on Teacher Survival Kits
2. How Technology Reshaped the Way Students Prepare for Language Exams
3. 10 Everyday Fun Moments That Teach Math Concepts Naturally
4. 10 Everyday Fun Moments That Teach Math Concepts Naturally
5. Navajo Code Talkers and US Security in WWII
6. How to Use Excel to Teach Math Arrays
7. What is Constructivism and How Does it Fit Your Class?
8. 5 Ways to Involve Parents in Your Class
9. Tech Ed Resources for your Class–Digital Citizenship
10. How Behaviorism Can Turn Your Classroom Around

Here’s a preview of what’s coming up: (more…)

Here’s the next in our series addressing topics of college education–its importance in today’s changing work environment, how it translates to success in the classroom, and more. From the Ask a Tech Teacher team: “Is a Liberal Studies Degree Online Actually Worth It?”

If you’re looking at college options and feeling boxed in by rigid majors, an online liberal studies degree can look surprisingly practical. You get flexibility, room to explore multiple subjects, and a path that fits around work, family, or a schedule that refuses to behave. The bigger question isn’t whether the degree sounds interesting. It’s whether it can help you build real skills, qualify for jobs, and move forward without wasting time or money.

What a liberal studies degree online really includes

A liberal studies degree online usually blends courses from several disciplines instead of locking you into one narrow track. You might study communication, social science, history, business, writing, and problem-solving in the same program. (more…)

Here’s the second in our series addressing college education topics–its importance in today’s changing work environment, how it translates to success in the classroom, and more. From the Ask a Tech Teacher team: “From Reform Policy to Classroom Practice: How Education Leaders Can Make Change Work”:

School reform often begins with ambitious language: improve achievement, modernize instruction, close learning gaps, make classrooms more inclusive. The difficult part comes afterward. Administrators have to translate those goals into decisions about teaching, assessment, technology, staffing, and resources without creating another initiative that disappears after a few semesters. Effective educational administration therefore requires more than managing schools. Leaders need to understand how instructional systems work and how thoughtful reform can move from policy documents into everyday classroom practice.

Source: Pexels

Connect Administrative Decisions With What Students Actually Learn

Administrators can easily become separated from the instructional consequences of their decisions. Budgets, staffing, compliance, schedules, and reporting demand attention, yet changes in those areas eventually affect what teachers can do with students.

Understanding curriculum design gives education leaders a way to examine that connection systematically. Youngstown State University addresses these skills through its fully online M.S.Ed. Teacher Education – Curriculum and Instruction – Digital Teaching and Learning program, which is designed for working professionals. Its approach emphasizes practical application and covers curriculum design models, technology integration, student-centered strategies, assessment, and the alignment of learning objectives with instruction.
For administrators, that knowledge can make reform decisions more grounded. A new instructional policy is easier to evaluate when leaders understand how objectives, classroom activities, and assessments fit together. (more…)

We received multiple requests from readers to address topics of college education–its importance in today’s changing wrk environment, how it translates to success in the classroom, and more. We’ve put together a series of six articles based on the sorts of questions we received, from “Is a Liberal Studies Degree Online Actually Worth it?” to “Should You Study Computer Science in 2026?” and a lot in between. These will be a few a day. We hope you enjoy the conversation.

Here’s our first: “Why an Ed.S Degree is Getting More Attention in Education Reform”.

If you follow education reform, you’ve probably noticed a pattern: schools need leaders who understand teaching, policy, data, and day-to-day reality all at once. That’s a tough mix. Teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators are being asked to solve bigger problems with tighter timelines. An Ed.S. degree sits right in that pressure zone, offering advanced training for educators who want to lead change without stepping away from the field for years.

Where an Ed.S. Fits in the Education Reform Conversation

Education reform often sounds abstract until you’re the one dealing with attendance drops, uneven literacy scores, or teacher burnout. At that point, broad policy talk turns into a very practical question: who has the skills to fix systems without losing sight of students?

An education specialist degree usually lands between a master’s and a doctorate. Northwest Missouri State University offers advanced education programs designed for professionals who want to strengthen their leadership and instructional expertise. It’s built for educators who want advanced expertise without committing to a full Ph.D. or Ed.D. track. That makes it especially relevant when districts need people who can lead curriculum planning, school improvement, professional development, and data-informed decision-making.

You’re not just studying leadership theory for the sake of it. You’re learning how institutions actually change, where resistance shows up, and what meaningful improvement looks like in real schools. Reform work needs more than slogans and strategic plans with glossy covers. (more…)

How Parents Can Inspire Curiosity and Spark Lifelong Learning in Kids

Parents of young children often start out with a front-row seat to nonstop questions, experiments, and wonder, then slowly notice childhood curiosity getting replaced by hesitation or “just tell me the answer.” The tension is real: busy routines, pressure to perform, and adult expectations can accidentally train kids to chase approval instead of following their own questions. When that happens, motivating children’s education can feel like pushing a cart uphill rather than watching interest pull them forward. Nurturing natural curiosity now protects a child’s love of learning and sets the stage for confident, self-driven learners.

Understanding How Curiosity Drives Learning

Curiosity is a motivational drive to seek out information when something feels new, tricky, or surprising. Across child development stages, that drive pushes kids to notice patterns, test ideas, and build stronger thinking skills. When children practice asking their own questions, learning starts to come from the inside.

That matters because self-directed discovery creates attention and effort you do not have to “buy” with stickers or grades. External rewards can help kids start, but they rarely teach kids how to keep going when work gets hard. Engaged learners stick around longer because they want to close the gap in what they know.

Think about a child building with blocks. A reward-focused kid asks, “Is this right?” while a curious kid asks, “What happens if I add one more?” That second question turns play into problem-solving, and problem-solving into confidence. This is where a parent’s visible learning habits can quietly make curiosity feel normal at home. (more…)

A lot of teacher-authors read both my Ask a Tech Teacher education blog and this blog, WordDreams. In this monthly column, I share a popular post from the past month: 

National Dog Day is observed and celebrated on the 26th of August every year. In some parts of the world, it is also called International Dog Day. The day celebrates dogs of all kinds and encourages fostering love and kindness through ownership and adoption, regardless of breed. Having a dog is much more than just having a pet. There are many dogs out there who need saving, who need a home to be loved and cared for. National Dog Day serves as a reminder that dogs have every right to live a loving, abuse-free life.

I’m always on the hunt for good books with dogs as the stars. Here are a few I found recently: (more…)

Today’s tip: How to Teach Writing to Non-writers

Here are seven categories of tools that address specific learning styles, with suggestions:

Art: A picture is worth a thousand words–what better way for a writer to understand the intricacies of a story than to draw them.  Excellent online drawing tools include Lunapic, Paint Studio, and Pixlr.

Audio: Audio “writing” is simply taping words rather than putting them on paper.  They are consumed without eyes (great if you’re driving or watching TV), and appeal to learners who have difficulty with traditional writing methods.  Three great options include Audacity, VoiceThread, and SonicPics.

Comics: A popular medium for blending art and writing is comics. Options include Bitstrips, Pixton, and Powtoons.

Desktop Publishing: Desktop publishing mixes a wide variety of media–pictures, text, audio, visual, color, and layout–to communicate a message. Good options are LucidPress and Canva.

Music: For some students, it’s all about music. Celine Dion’s popular Titanic song drenched millions of listeners in the debilitating emotion of a lost love. Nothing “examines complex ideas” better than music. Popular choice for composing music is GarageBand.

Slideshow: Slideshows have long been the alternative to the written report, used when an oral presentation was required. Most slideshows include bulleted draft text, images, sounds, videos, color, and movement. Three popular tools are PowerPoint, Google Slides and Haiku Deck.

Spreadsheet: For numbers-based communication, nothing turns data into information better than spreadsheets. Traditional options include MS Excel, Google Sheets, and Numbers.

Video: For students who aren’t writers and have difficulty presenting to a group, a video is unintimidating and stress-free. (more…)

Every month, subscribers to our newsletter get free/discounted resources to help their tech teaching.

September

Here are some of the items now on sale at Structured Learning (click to visit webpage):

Check back often for new sales!

(more…)

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is an American holiday (though celebrated world-wide by different names) dedicated to the achievements of workers. Take today to think about it. Me, I’ll take it literally! I enjoy labor, the good feeling of finishing, meeting goals, working hard.

• “Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year… Labor Day is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation.” — Samuel Gompers

• “A truly American sentiment recognizes the dignity of labor and the fact that honor lies in honest toil.” — Grover Cleveland
• “No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
• “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” — Theodore Roosevelt

If you’re devoting Labor Day to writing (rather than teacher prep) but need a kick start, here are suggestions for favorite labor-saving tools for writers:

1. 1. Reedsy’s Best 23 Writing Tools of 2024
   2. 25 Top Tools for Writers to Crush it in 2024
   3. The 30 Best Tools for Writers
   4. Plot Generator

A few Labor Day websites to enjoy for teaching (click here for updates): (more…)