Recent advances in machine learning have stimulated widespread interest within the Information Technology sector in integrating AI capabilities into software and services. Though the world of computer science has advanced tenfold over the past decade, there is still a lack of development skills and interest in this field, predominantly in the younger generation. Because of this gap in interest and capability, Microsoft has spearheaded a campaign to bring computer science to schools. In this article, we will take a look at Microsoft Surface for computer science and what has been done to excite the younger generation to get involved and build a brighter future together.
The Approach
Self-Efficiency & Computer Science
Surface In The Field
Microsoft partners globally with nonprofits, governments, educators, and businesses to ensure all youth have access to digital skills training and inclusive computer science education. Through cash grants, technology, and resources, Surface support nonprofits like Code.org and programs like Microsoft Philanthropies TEALS (Technology Education and Literacy in Schools), to increase the capacity of organisations to develop and grow high-quality computer science programs.
Limited access to digital skills threatens to widen the income gap between those who have the skills to succeed in the 21st century and those who do not. To reduce the gap, all young people need the opportunity to learn computer science, especially those least likely to have access.
According to a study done by Rachel S. Phillips, PhD and Benjamin PC Brooks, assessing whether or not students’ attitudes towards and self-efficacy with computer science changed after engaging with an Hour of Code activity. The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code", to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts.
Findings show that after completing one Hour of Code activity, students’ positive attitudes towards computer science increase along with feelings of computer science self-efficacy, especially for female students. In other words, after just one Hour of Code activity, students report liking computer science more and report feeling that they are better able to learn computer science and are better at computer science than their peers. These findings suggest that using particular activities in the right context can produce large changes in attitudes towards and self-efficacy with computer science.
The discipline of computer science includes the study of algorithms and data structures, computer and network design, modelling data and information processes, and artificial intelligence. Computer science draws some of its foundations from mathematics and engineering and therefore incorporates techniques from areas such as queuing theory, probability and statistics, and electronic circuit design. Computer science also makes heavy use of hypothesis testing and experimentation during the conceptualisation, design, measurement, and refinement of new algorithms, information structures, and computer architectures.
Customer obsession is what sets Surface apart from other competitors. Microsoft creates products inspired by computer scientists and with their feedback in mind, evolving their product road map and priorities. Thanks to the powerful engineering that has gone into the Surface family of devices, they meet the software and hardware requirements needed in the field of computer science. We have found that the Surface Pro 7+ and the Surface Laptop 4 are favourites among those
From small and medium-size businesses to the largest organisations, Surface Pro 7+ is purpose-built with the needs of business and CS/IT customers in mind. This next generation of Surface Pro stays true to its ethos – delivering on top customer-requested updates while maintaining the same iconic design so customers can continue to leverage their existing investments.
The classic, ultra-light 2-in-1 for CS is faster than ever and keeps you productive:
Surface Laptop 4 remains true to the product’s fundamentals of an amazing display, a keyboard that is second-to-none, and great battery life that together makes Surface Laptop a joy to use. Along with models powered by 10th Generation Intel Core processors, this is the first time we’re launching a product powered by the exclusive AMD Ryzen Microsoft Surface Edition processor, delivering amazing computing, graphics and battery performance in a slim 15” form.
This workhorse offers:
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