273 - Conrad Wolfram on Computational Thinking

Today's episode is featuring a conversation on computational thinking with Conrad Wolfram. Conrad Wolfram directs global strategy for Wolfram Research, a leader in computational resources. For the last decade, Wolfram has been encouraging educators to teach math(s) as if computers existed. He wants teachers and policymakers to stop fixating on calculations like long division and factoring polynomial equations, and instead, start focusing on computational thinking. Conrad's newest book, The Math(s) Fix, is the foundation for a revolution in education. It maps out the vision and the solution to change math(s) at its core. Listen in to learn about computational thinking and how it can serve as the solution to the current, detrimental traditional math(s) curriculum. Key Takeaways: [:10] About today's episode. [:51] Tom welcomes Conrad to the podcast! [1:27] About Wolfram's family background with math. [2:41] What the Wolfram language is. [3:47] About this new era we're in today (what Wolfram considers the 'AI age' or the 'fourth industrial revolution'), especially with regards to computation. [8:42] The two big ideas in The Math(s) Fix : the importance of computational thinking across...