Some thoughts:
Computing is about Computing Machines and about People; about Thinking, Designing, Engineering and the Implementation and Fulfilment of Tasks..
Following the R&D by engineers and computer scientists (the development of Mainframe Computers, the development of the silicone chip, the development of “personal” (desktop) computers, the development of disk-operating systems like MS-DOS, and the development of operating systems like MS Windows and Apple OSX – User Interfaces (beyond the alpha-numeric terminal) were developed – GUI’s graphical user interfaces and DM direct manipulation. Psychologists worked with computer scientists to develop better user interfaces (and better support for tasks) in an R&D domain called “HCI” human-computer interaction.
The “technologists” began to work with the “human factors” thinkers, researchers and developers.
In the 1960s/1970s, there was something of a “counter-culture” – away from the monolithic Mainframe Computing of Corporations (Banks and Governments) – promoting computing accessible to ordinary people. See: Douglas Englebart’s “The Augment Project”.
First HCI, then “Human Centred Computing” was born.
When I was working on “Information Modelling Tools” and “Distributed Hypermedia” in the late 1980s and through the 1990s, I became aware of the domain of “HCI”.
In 2003, one of the pioneers of computing science and HCI – Ben Shneiderman – published a book: “Leonardo’s Laptop”; Human Needs and the New Computing Technologies.” He highlighted the “Old Computing” (with a focus on the technology) and a “New Computing” (with a focus on people, on human needs).
HCI has morphed into “UX Design”. There are centres of excellence for the study and evolution of “Human Centred Computing” e.g. The University of Oxford Center for Human-Centred Computing.
Extract: https://hcc.cs.ox.ac.uk/
“Computational systems are now deeply integrated into the fabric of people’s lives. Human Centred Computing examines the impacts that such systems have on individuals, communities and societies, and to identify ways these systems can be designed to be more ethical and empowering, and to support human flourishing.”
As an educator – I was very interested in helping less able students in understanding and remembering. I emphasised! I am a visual thinker – I like graphical representation of things; of information, concepts, ideas, domains, subjects, systems.
As a designer of information modelling tools, information and computer tool/application interfaces – I explored ideas of graphical representation, simple analysis, schemata/mapping/blueprints. Regarding computer interfaces and application interfaces – I demonstrated some of my ideas in the original concept demonstrator, “the “HNS Browser”, 1987. A small menu with the fewest “buttons” and a graphical schema with the fewest key elements. As simple as possible. As a gateway – an interface – to the wealth of detail in the literature of textbooks and anatomical atlases.
‘Frameworks’ is the latest stage in an evolution of thinking and developing “information modelling tools”. In my thinking and in the development of the ‘Frameworks’ Methodology and the ‘Frameworks’ Prototype Tool – I have retained my interest in education, in visual thinking and in interaction (e.g. browsing information structures leading to discovery) and my focus includes the foundational education of children.
During this time – around 2011- to the present day – there has been a revolution in computing, the internet and the development of the mobile “smart” phone and “apps”. There has been an explosion of information and data and the development of algorithmic design for human-computer interaction. Especially by Big Tech and Big Corporations for the purposes of selling stuff (gadgets, ideas, opinions etc) and in the pursuit of wealth and power.
Ordinary people and many technologists, sociologists, cognitive scientists, psychologists and thinkers have become concerned and alarmed by these developments and – beyond the considerable benefits of the “smartphone/apps” revolution – the effects computing technology is having on mental well-being and behaviour.
The recent developments in “AI” – as it is being launched into the world of computing (by ordinary people) – have been and are increasingly regarded with circumspection.
The Pros?: a revolution in the support of mundane tasks and in support of R&D.
The Cons?: a revolution in the tasks of the Communication (persuasion, distraction and disruption) and management of the InfoSphere; and War.
Regarding Computing, Think about Four Types of People:
The Elite (IT Corporations)
The IT Professionals (Tech-Savvy Creatives)
The Ordinary People (Consumers of IT)
The Next Generation
Computing
Computing involves domains including mathematics, engineering, programming (languages e.g. Object-Oriented Design) coding (languages e.g. JavaScript, Python, Eiffel), computing machines, “users”, human-computer interfaces (displays e.g. GUIs), engagement and interaction, feedback and reward.
The (UK) School Curriculum today includes “Computer Science” and “Computational Thinking”.
There is more to “computing” than using a mobile phone to consume Stuff and to share Stuff.
The question is: what is the “Creativity,”, The Computing Creativity exercised by the Ordinary People who are becoming captivated by their Smart Phones? What will the Next Generation (our children) do – observe and follow their parents?
With the recent developments in “AI” e.g. ChatGPT/LLM – ascendency – to what extent will “AI/AI Assistants” replace the thinking, the tasks and the “creativity” exercised by Ordinary People. Who will become the “Master”?
The Humanities
Social Science
Information
Data & Evidence
Science; Scientific Method