Why Teach the History of Computing?
When we think about teaching computing, we often focus on skills(coding, algorithms, data analysis, debugging, cybersecurity). But I’ve found that one of the most powerful ways to engage students is through stories. Computing isn’t just about writing lines of code; it’s about ideas, innovation, and problem-solving. And behind every breakthrough, there’s a human story. Especially in this age of AI and worldwide connectivity, I believe these human stories connect us, and remind us of who we are, where we’ve come from, and how far we, as a species and society, have travelled.
By introducing students to figures like Ada Lovelace, Alan Turing, Hedy Lamarr, and Grace Hopper, we’re not just teaching them history. We’re teaching them about perseverance, creativity, and the power of thinking differently. These pioneers didn’t just advance technology. They redefined WHAT was possible at that time.
Each of these figures brings a different lens, a different experience, to our classroom discussions:
- Ada Lovelace shows us the creative potential of computing and the importance of imagination in technology.
- Alan Turing teaches us about problem-solving, breaking complex ideas into steps, and the human cost of genius.
- Hedy Lamarr challenges stereotypes and encourages students to embrace multiple passions.
- Grace Hopper makes programming approachable and human, reminding us that mistakes (or “bugs”) are part of the learning process.
These figures become touchstones, like anchors, in our computing lessons, helping students see that computing is not just about machines and code. Rather, it’s about people, it’s about asking big questions, making mistakes, and shaping the future.
Ada Lovelace: The Imaginative Visionary of Computing
Ada Lovelace is often credited as the world’s first programmer, even though she lived in the 19th century, long before modern computers existed. This in itself is a great way to bridge the gap between what computing sounds like, and what is stands for. What makes her story so fascinating is that she saw beyond numbers, she imagined that machines could be used for creative purposes, such as generating music and art. (And in many aspects, this is exactly what is happening today!) This is a powerful message for students, as it shifts computing away from just logic and mathematics and towards a blend of technology and creativity.
In my classroom, I introduce Ada Lovelace by encouraging students to see coding as storytelling. Her vision wasn’t just about crunching numbers; it was about what computers could become. By framing computing in this way, even the most hesitant students begin to see coding as a tool for expression and innovation.
Activities for Teaching Ada Lovelace
- Unplugged Coding – Students write simple algorithms for each other to follow, reinforcing the importance of precise instructions. These instructions are bound to go wring is they are not in the correct sequence or explicit enough, and THATS where the fun begins!
- Ada’s Predictions – Comparing her ideas with today’s AI-generated music and art to explore the creative side of computing. Ask your student if ‘art’ can be created by computers, and if so, is this still called art? What is art, how can we tell AI-generated content apart from human-created art? Where do the differences lie, and where is the line between AI-generated and AI-assisted? All excellent conversations to have in class.
- Women in STEM Discussions – Explore how Ada paved the way for women in tech and connect her story to modern role models. Where have they been impactful, and what would your students have done if they had not been allowed to access certain subjects, follow their interests, or pursue a career? Too often, coding and computer science are still seen as a subject for ‘boys’, yet time and time again, we see these stereotypical views broken, as we should!
- A Letter to Ada – Students can write a letter to Ada Lovelace, updating her on modern technology and whether her predictions came true. Have the students write to her as if she were going to read the letter the next day. Follow this up with the question, “What are your predictions for the next 100 years?” How do you see the evolution of tech?
Alan Turing: The Problem-Solver Who Changed the World
Alan Turing’s story resonates with students because it embodies determination and problem-solving. His work on breaking the Enigma code during World War II is an incredible example of how logic and computing can change the world. It shows just how much impact 1 person can have and how we should never forget that the smallest of us can change the course of history through our choices and innovations.
What makes Turing’s story so compelling is that it also introduces ethical discussions: What does it mean for a machine to “think”? How do we define intelligence? His famous Turing Test is a great entry point into discussions about AI and human-machine interactions, which fascinate students and teachers of all ages. And let’s face it, as I write this, AI isn’t going to go anywhere, it has only become more prevalent and ever so present in the products and software we use.
I use Turing’s work to highlight the importance of breaking problems into smaller steps; a fundamental computational thinking concept(decomposition) that helps students develop strong problem-solving skills.
Activities for Teaching Alan Turing
- Codebreaking Challenges – Students work with simple ciphers, learning the fundamentals of encryption and decoding. They can send secret messages to reveal parts of the answers to other challenges in class, but only through code. Keep it fun!
- The Turing Test Debate – Engaging students in discussions about AI, chatbot interactions, and whether machines can think. Break open the discussion to discuss how AI is changing our world, how it can change the way we think and act, and debate the possibility of AGI(Artificial General Intelligence) or Superhuman Intelligence. Where do they stand? And what do your students think is possible? In their opinion, can the current GenAI(Generative Artificial Intelligence) pass the Turing test?
- Turing Machines – Simulating basic Turing machines with step-by-step paper-based algorithms to understand how computers process logic. Play around with these and see how the seemingly insignificant small changes are likely to have bigger effects. In a KS1 class or EYFS settings, we can look at basic decision making trees, is your Gibbon wearing a cap or not? If if he wears a cap is he also wearing sunglasses, and if he both, does he hold a flower or not?
- The “Enigma Escape Room” – Creating a classroom escape-room challenge where students must solve encoded clues using ciphers, just like Turing’s team at Bletchley Park. Escape rooms can be as complex or easy as you want them to be to ensure everyone can access the challenges.
Hedy Lamarr: The Actress Who Revolutionised Wireless Technology
Hedy Lamarr might not be the first name that comes to mind when discussing computing, but her contributions to technology are immensely relevant to students today. Her invention of frequency-hopping technology laid the groundwork for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS, all technologies we rely on daily.
Her story is particularly powerful because it challenges stereotypes. Lamarr was a Hollywood actress, yet she also had a brilliant scientific mind. This helps students, especially young girls, see that they don’t have to choose between creativity and science. They can be both.
I introduced Hedy Lamarr at the beginning of our networking unit, and it’s always a hit. Now, when I ask my Year 1 students about Wi-Fi, they’re excited to tell me how “Hedy Lamarr made it possible!” That kind of connection to real people makes computing feel alive.
Activities for Teaching Hedy Lamarr
- How Wi-Fi Works – Exploring the basics of frequency-hopping and wireless networks with real-world examples. Ask your students where they use wireless technology and if they’ve ever spotted the relevant symbols related to this.
- Hedy’s Dual Identity – Discuss how she balanced Hollywood and science, challenging stereotypes about who can be an inventor.
- Hands-on Radio Experiments – Demonstrating frequency hopping by playing with radio signals and interference.
- Design a “Tech for the Future” Invention – Students brainstorm and sketch an invention that could solve a real-world problem, inspired by Hedy Lamarr’s creativity.
Grace Hopper: The Queen of Code
Grace Hopper is a classroom favourite because her story is so relatable. She’s famous for discovering the first “bug” in a computer; a literal moth trapped in a relay switch, and her work in creating the COBOL programming language made computers more accessible to everyday people. In the context of international schools; she is the translator helping us understand our non-English speaking newly arrived students. This hits home and our students immediately understand why it was important for this concept of ‘helper’, her work on compilers that translate code before executing it helping us code in more ‘human sounding’ programming languages!
Hopper’s story is deeply woven into how we talk about programming. Every time a student encounters an error in their code, I remind them of Hopper’s debugging story, and it transforms frustration into something historical and even a little fun.
This idea of making computing human-friendly is at the heart of my teaching approach. When students see a real person, someone with a sense of humour and determination, it has always made programming easier. They see themselves in these stories and, as a result, are more likely to write theirs.
Activities for Teaching Grace Hopper
- Debugging Stories – Using Hopper’s famous “moth in the computer” story to normalise mistakes in coding.
- Learning to Code with English-Like Commands – Introducing beginner-friendly programming languages and discussing Hopper’s work on COBOL. Link this in the early experiences of budding coders to Scratch and OctoStudio, two block-based languages that enable users to use natural language to craft incredibly powerful programs.
- Code Review and Debugging Races – Turning debugging into a collaborative and engaging challenge for students. Present them with faulty code or sequences ALL the time. Have them see that making mistakes is an important part of the process.
- Bug Hunting Journals – Students keep a “Bug Journal,” where they log their own mistakes (whether in computing or any subject), reflect on how they fixed them, and share their funniest “bugs.”
Cross-Curricular Connections and Curriculum Links
The historical figures and computing concepts discussed in this article can be integrated into various subjects and curricula, fostering a deeper understanding of computing’s impact on society and its interdisciplinary nature.
UK Computing Curriculum
The UK National Curriculum for Computing includes aspects of computer science, information technology, and digital literacy. The stories and activities mentioned in this article align with several key areas:
- Key Stage 1: Pupils can learn about algorithms through unplugged coding activities inspired by Ada Lovelace.
- Key Stage 2: Students can explore programming concepts and digital literacy by learning about Grace Hopper’s work on COBOL and the importance of debugging.
- Key Stage 3: Alan Turing’s codebreaking work and the Turing Test can introduce students to cryptography, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
- Key Stage 4: Hedy Lamarr’s story can be linked to computer networks, wireless communication, and the broader impact of technology on society.
US Curriculum (e.g., CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards)
The CSTA standards emphasise computational thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving. The historical figures in this article can provide context and motivation for these skills:
- Ada Lovelace: Encourages creative problem-solving and algorithms.
- Alan Turing: Promotes computational thinking and ethical considerations in AI.
- Hedy Lamarr: Highlights the connection between computing and other fields (e.g., science, engineering).
- Grace Hopper: Emphasises programming concepts and debugging.
Other Curricula and Cross-Curricular Connections
- Mathematics: Ada Lovelace’s work can be linked to mathematical concepts and algorithms.
- History: Alan Turing’s codebreaking and Hedy Lamarr’s inventions can be placed in historical context.
- Science: Hedy Lamarr’s frequency-hopping invention can be connected to physics and engineering principles.
- Social Studies: The stories of these pioneers can spark discussions about ethics, diversity, and the impact of technology on society.
- Language Arts: Students can research and write about historical figures or explore computing concepts through creative writing.
By connecting computing to other subjects and real-world applications, educators can create a more engaging and meaningful learning experience for students, inspiring them to become active participants in the ever-evolving story of computing.
Every time we bring these people’s stories into the classroom, we’re not just teaching history. We’re connecting past to present, imagination to reality, and problem-solving to human experience. These stories allow students to see computing as more than just programming; it’s about curiosity, creativity, and making a difference.
By embedding these narratives, real-life stories, into our teaching, we give students a sense of belonging in the world of computing(Which can seem a bit daunting at times), And in doing so, we help them see their place in the story of computing, a story that is still being written… And hopefully by some of my and YOUR students!