NYS Computer Science & Digital Fluency Standards

Computing affects many aspects of the world at local, national, and global levels. Individuals and communities influence computing through their behaviors and cultural and social interactions. In turn, computing influences new cultural practices. Informed citizens understand the ethical and social implications of the digital world, including equity and access to computing and computing technologies. The Impacts of Computing standards promote an understanding of the evolving impact of computing technologies on society through many lenses, including personal, social, cultural, accessibility, legal, economic, and ethical. 

Computational thinking involves thinking about and solving problems in ways that can be carried out by a computer. Computational thinking not only underpins all theory and application of computer science, but also influences many other subject areas. Computational thinking includes both core concepts, such as algorithms and variables, and core practices, such as abstraction, decomposition, data analysis, modeling, and simulation, that are vital not only to the design and development of computer programs but also to the strategic use of computational power to solve problems across disciplines. 

Computing devices typically do not operate in isolation. Networks connect computing devices to share data and resources and are an increasingly integral part of computing. Networks and communication systems provide greater connectivity in the computing world by providing fast, secure communication, and facilitating innovation. The hardware and software that make up a computing system process data in digital form. A basic understanding of hardware and software is useful when troubleshooting a computing system that does not work as intended. 

In a digital world, all individuals have a responsibility to protect data and the computing resources they access. Cybersecurity encompasses the physical, digital, and behavioral actions that can be taken to increase this security. These measures are meant to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data and computing resources, as well as ensure that they are accessible to the users who are supposed to have access to them. Digital security includes understanding and identifying risks, implementing appropriate safeguards, and being prepared to respond to potential attacks. 

Digital literacy is a multifaceted concept that extends beyond skills-based activities and incorporates both cognitive and technical skills. It refers to the ability to leverage computer technology to appropriately access digital information; to create, share, and modify artifacts, and to interact and collaborate with others. Digital literacy includes understanding the benefits and implications of using digital technologies to be successful in our contemporary world.