If you could teach computer science without using any computers, what would the class look like?

If I had to teach computer science without computers, I’d focus on building the students’ core computational thinking through hands-on activities. Students would act out sorting algorithms to understand logic and efficiency, and model data structures using physical objects. I would teach Boolean logic through roleplay, with students simulating logic gates and signal flow. Binary encoding could be explained through beadwork or Morse code, making data representation creative and memorable. Programming could become storytelling: students write and debug step-by-step instructions for everyday tasks. To simulate networking, I would pass messages across a classroom “internet,” exploring latency and protocols. Finally, we’d hold discussions on ethics, bias, and the philosophy of computing to reflect on technology’s broader impact. Without screens, the class would become a dynamic, human-centered exploration of how computers think—and how we think through them.