Computer productivity initiative

Over the last three decades computer science has evolved into a mature and experimentally oriented discipline with a well defined curriculum. Only recently have we come to realize that as a discipline computer science must reach beyond its own subject area to applications in other disciplines in order to stay relevant. Most computer science curricula teach principles and programming skills in isolation from an application perspective, provide limited laboratory experience, and introduce inadequate integration with non-CS components. The Computer Productivity Initiative, described in this paper, proposes to alleviate these problems by integrating a multi-year project into the curriculum. The project involves courses normally taken in three different years of the curriculum. It includes hardware and software issues and also addresses engineering, business, and other non-CS issues. The initiative uses prototyping and simulations in the development of specifications for an integrated television communication and display computer system. The students apply principles of productivity and make extensive use of leading-edge technologies both in the process of the project development and the product being developed. They hone essential career-oriented skills in the areas of management, formal presentations, and group problem solving. This paper is a report of work in progress. It emphasizes the implementation issues we are facing and the integration of evaluation into our curriculum development. It describes our preparation for the dissemination of a model curriculum when we are able to demonstrate that the approach is adaptable to CS departments across the country.