Computer science (CS), often relegated to the ‘too hard basket’, is left to be handled by tech experts in Silicon Valley. As our ways of working continue to evolve, CS emerges as an essential competency, not a nugget of wisdom bestowed upon a select few.
What the recent CS Unplugged workshop shows is, when broken down to its minute detail, CS is a knowledge accessible to all. That is, if you demystify it with the correct tools.
Computer science isn’t magic, it can be understood.
The Australian National University School of Cybernetics was pleased to host the two-day workshop, Unplugged Education, which served to introduce the value of teaching CS and Large Language Models (LLMs) completely unplugged from technology.
Professor Tim Bell, creator of the CS Unplugged project, seeks to empower educators with computer-science knowledge that is easily transferred to their students. He was joined by co-facilitator Dr Henry Hickman, Lecturer in the School of Computer Science at the University of New South Wales.
“Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes.” – Mike Fellows
Expanding on the proposition of Mike Fellows, Tim conveys that a rigorous understanding of computers is not essential to understanding CS. The workshop reminds us that, though computers can feel like foreign agents, they are anchored in a science discovered by human beings.
To emphasise this, Tim’s workshops are computer free; sticky tape, magnets and note pads are all that’s required to get a handle on CS.
Introducing participants the foundations of LLMs through his project LLMs Unplugged was Cybernetics’ Dr Ben Swift.
LLMs Unplugged was created to teach people the basic principles of LLMs and help them understand that at its essence, AI is just some basic logic with a bit of probability mixed in. Moving away from dry theoretical lectures, LLMs Unplugged returns to tactile learning experiences to engage learners.
Ben was joined by LLMs Unplugged facilitator Cole Cooney, who consistently observes a shift in confidence from participants.
“Unplugged education cuts through the tech and complications, offering simple, tactile explanations of the maths and logic that underpin all of computing. It’s not only accessible, but also playful and fun, making the vibes as good as the learning outcomes,” says Cole.
Learn more from our coverage of the Unplugged Education workshop.
You can find out more about LLMs Unplugged, and register for upcoming workshops via the ANU School of Cybernetics site.
This ANU School of Cybernetics and ANU School of Computing event was made possible through funding from an ANU College of Systems and Society Learning & Teaching Grant.