ICT is Dead. Long live ICT

[truebluesteve]

So from September we will no longer have an ICT Department and there will be a Computer Science one instead with the sum total of 2 teachers (for a school of 2000 pupils) When I started here and ICT was still on the curriculum, there were around 7 ICT teachers so I was wondering if others have seen a similar decline and whether ICT is still taught as a subject in its own right.

[Steve21]

4 ICT/Business teachers for 750~ kids, and few more who are split across subjects Same as old school

 

Steve

[elsiegee40]

What's been startling in my governor school is the decline in uptake of Computing as a GCSE option. It was one of the most popular options, but no longer is.

[Sagima]

In 2012/13 ICT was taught to years 7 and 8 (to obtain a btech qualification) & years 12 and 13 as AS (with 1 pshe set on IT safety for all years). 1 Full time IT teacher for years 8, 12 and 13. 1 Part time doing year 7

In 2013/14 that was reduced to year 8 only with pshe for the other years. 1 Part time teacher (8 periods/week)

In 2014/15 it was increased back to years 7 and 8 (but fewer assigned periods, coding only - no secretarial skills in office as they've learnt those in primary school) with PSHE for the other years. 1 Part time teacher 12 periods a week.

Next year the AS level is coming back for years 12 and 13. Same part time teacher as this year but doing an extra 6 periods a week.

 

ICT has never been taught at GCSE level here. At its peak popularity we had 4 AS candidates in one year.

Edited June 11, 2015 by Sagima
punctuation

[truebluesteve]

What's been startling in my governor school is the decline in uptake of Computing as a GCSE option. It was one of the most popular options, but no longer is.

 

Yep, we have noticed that here. It seems that a lot of students that have been taking Computing as an option have done so simply because they had to choose something, and it seemed the best of a bad bunch. Programming still isn't seen as 'sexy' even though the jobs can be very well paid and there are plenty of them out there. They are trying to use the example of Games programmers here to try and change that, but without a huge amount of success at the moment.

[Iain.Faulkner]

We've noticed a similar decline, this current academic year we have 7 dedicated ICT/Computing teachers....next year that is being reduced to 4.

 

I think, but don't know for sure, that the number of different ICT related options being offered at GCSE & A-Level is also being reduced.

[tmcd35]

ICT is still taught as a subject in its own right.

 

 

We have "Business Studies" teachers, is all I'll say on the subject

[Dos_Box]

TBH, Computer Science is what ICT used to be before it was ICT and was about programming and the technical aspects of....erm...ICT

As regards take-up, I suspect that some pupils feel that it is either too hard and they can't do it or that it is boring. Lets hope that when it becomes established and the pupils can demonstrate what they can do and get out of the subject then it will take off and perhaps a bit more PR in schools of what the subject is really about would help?

Computer Science was quite a popular subject when I took it back in the *ahem* mid 80's.

[m25man]

Does this mean that knowledge and education is no longer needed in this subject?

The youth of the future will just draw upon the vast resources of Google for all things ICT...

[Steve21]

Does this mean that knowledge and education is no longer needed in this subject?

The youth of the future will just draw upon the vast resources of Google for all things ICT...

 

But isn't that how all kids are currently taught all subjects? Teachers Google it, kids learn it, and google it to answer it, teachers google answers to see if correct and everyones happy!

 

Steve

[clockend25]

Two positions teaching ICT here, one of which has been a revolving door in terms of staff for the last three years, filled by short-term cover and teachers from other subject areas. Looking at the year 8 options process this year, I think the numbers doing the subject from year 9 onwards has plummeted quite dramatically. It's very much a fringe subject now both in terms of interest from the students and attention from leadership. We've been trying to recruit a permanent IT teacher for a couple of years now without success.

 

Bit worrying, really.

[VeryPC_Colin_M]

Oh I loved this; Programming still isn't seen as 'sexy'

Show them this list; http://www.therichest.com/celebnetworth/category/celebrity-business/tech-billionaire/ (granted some aren't programmers but it's their tech skills (apart from Balmy Ballmer) that got them their billions. With a billion quid, everything suddenly seems pretty sexy.

It can't be being pitched right in schools. The ability to programme, code, understand tech and make tech is not only fun but pays better than football.

[halbaradkenafin]

Does this mean that knowledge and education is no longer needed in this subject?

The youth of the future will just draw upon the vast resources of Google for all things ICT...

 

Isn't that how most of us do our jobs when it isn't something we've dealt with more than a few times?

[tmcd35]

Isn't that how most of us do our jobs

 

Do we have to have words about the trade secrets act again?

[X-13]

The ability to programme, code, understand tech and make tech is not only fun but pays better than football.

 

However you don't get the cars, women [or men, I guess], parties or status that footballers do.

 

And that's all people seem to care about.

 

Isn't that how most of us do our jobs when it isn't something we've dealt with more than a few times?

 

Shh... don't spoil the mystery.

 

TBH, Computer Science is what ICT used to be before it was ICT and was about programming and the technical aspects of....erm...ICT

As regards take-up, I suspect that some pupils feel that it is either too hard and they can't do it or that it is boring.

 

Man... I would have loved to have done computing. I did ICT GCSE... it's "how to use Microsoft Office". Same with when I went to college for "Advanced ICT".

 

Pathetic.

[truebluesteve]

Two positions teaching ICT here, one of which has been a revolving door in terms of staff for the last three years, filled by short-term cover and teachers from other subject areas. Looking at the year 8 options process this year, I think the numbers doing the subject from year 9 onwards has plummeted quite dramatically. It's very much a fringe subject now both in terms of interest from the students and attention from leadership. We've been trying to recruit a permanent IT teacher for a couple of years now without success.

 

Bit worrying, really.

 

Pretty much the same here. We have just managed to recruit a young and enthusiastic CS teacher so hopefully things will improve but my main concern is in the area of support from those above. The GCSE exam results haven't been that great recently and so the subject has become a bit of a whipping boy, and the current HOD has had enough and is standing down.

@VeryPC_Colin_M - You're preaching to the converted We just need to start preaching to the non-believers and persuade them that there is life outside of Media Studies!

Edited June 11, 2015 by truebluesteve

[X-13]

 

We have "Business Studies" teachers, is all I'll say on the subject

 

there is life outside of Media Studies!

 

...I did both of those.

 

Business studies is legit.

 

Media studies is the reason I can't watch The Fifth Element any more... I watched that chase sequence about 200 times.

[halbaradkenafin]

Do we have to have words about the trade secrets act again?

 

I didn't reveal that the real secret is to google "computer no work" and it would magically tell you what's wrong.....damn.

 

Do I have to hand in my IT Tech membership card and Tech Aura generator?

[tmcd35]

Man... I would have loved to have done computing. I did ICT GCSE... it's "how to use Microsoft Office". Same with when I went to college for "Advanced ICT".

 

I did a BTec National in Computer Studies in the late 90's, roughly equivalent to A-Levels. By far the single best course on the subject I've ever seen, learnt more in those 2 years than I did on my 3 year degree course! Unfortunately ICT in schools tends to be "must teach programming" or "Microsoft Office", the interest stuff that lays between the two are often missed out.

 

Also, it's a cross-curricular subject. A lot of what ICT is should be taught in Maths, Science, and Technology classes. When they are it's rarely in a joined up way. How many kids doing logic gates in Electronics or Physics lessons make the ICT connection?

[tmcd35]

Media studies is the reason I can't watch The Fifth Element any more... I watched that chase sequence about 200 times.

 

Man, you needed a Media Studies lesson to learn way The Fifth Element is a carp film? I got that in the first 20 minutes of the first viewing - then turned it off!

 

Tech Aura generator?

 

you do realise what will happen to my reputation if the finance department ever find out about that!

[X-13]

Also, it's a cross-curricular subject. A lot of what ICT is should be taught in Maths, Science, and Technology classes. When they are it's rarely in a joined up way. How many kids doing logic gates in Electronics or Physics lessons make the ICT connection?

 

I keep telling people this... All I get is excuses.

[LosOjos]

However you don't get the cars, women [or men, I guess], parties or status that footballers do.

 

Don't tell John Romero that!

 

Man... I would have loved to have done computing. I did ICT GCSE... it's "how to use Microsoft Office". Same with when I went to college for "Advanced ICT".

 

Pathetic.

 

Yeah, it's well and truly time ICT became about CS again and not MS Office. When I did GCSE ICT, I was already a keen [though not 'good'] programmer, so for the open project I made a Maths Tutor program in VB that included a variety of mathematical tools with tips, examples and quizzes. I was really proud of it and my Maths teacher thought it was fantastic. The person I sat next to saved a Word document as HTML and called it a website. Guess which of us got an A? Hint: it wasn't me.

 

I think this transition period is going to be really tough; apart from the fact there's a severe lack of teachers with CS knowledge, there are even fewer who are interested in teaching CS. A lot of them didn't even start out wanting to teach ICT! Add to that the fact programmers can earn a hell of a lot more money than teachers, and you've got a problem. I think there either needs to be a drive in to CS teaching (maybe the government could cover the cost of teacher training for CS undergrads?) or schools need to start looking for retired programmers who would be happy to come in a couple of hours a week and either deliver lessons or just aide the teaching staff.

 

We could also do with more companies with a vested interest in CS to provide teacher training like Raspberry Pi foundation are doing. I've said from day one that I think CS on the curriculum is an excellent leap forward, but it's also clear that, as usual, it's been implemented by people with no clue. "Hey, ICT teachers, how about teaching a totally different subject with no training? Oh and there's no money to send you on any courses, and while we're at it as the school's budget has been cut you're losing half your colleagues. Go!"

 

The whole idea is doomed to fail if something isn't done soon and I genuinely believe that will be at the country's peril. Some argue that they're doing just fine with no CS knowledge and I get that, but we don't teach just solely with the intention of kids getting a career in the subject. CS knowledge can help in all sorts of fields, the ability to write simple algorithms or code can help in just about any office job. We rely on ICT services more and more every year and if we're not producing technologies, we're still going to be consuming them and that's not going to help our economy.

Edited June 11, 2015 by LosOjos

[X-13]

Don't tell John Romero that!

 

Yeah... But, that's John Romero.

 

 

Yeah, it's well and truly time ICT became about CS again and not MS Office. When I did GCSE ICT, I was already a keen [though not 'good'] programmer, so for the open project I made a Maths Tutor program in VB that included a variety of mathematical tools with tips, examples and quizzes. I was really proud of it and my Maths teacher thought it was fantastic. The person I sat next to saved a Word document as HTML and called it a website. Guess which of us got an A? Hint: it wasn't me.

 

I think this transition period is going to be really tough; apart from the fact there's a severe lack of teachers with CS knowledge, there are even fewer who are interested in teaching CS. A lot of them didn't even start out wanting to teach ICT! Add to that the fact programmers can earn a hell of a lot more money than teachers, and you've got a problem. I think there either needs to be a drive in to CS teaching (maybe the government could cover the cost of teacher training for CS undergrads?) or schools need to start looking for retired programmers who would be happy to come in a couple of hours a week and either deliver lessons or just aide the teaching staff.

 

We could also do with more companies with a vested interest in CS to provide teacher training like Raspberry Pi foundation are doing. I've said from day one that I think CS on the curriculum is an excellent leap forward, but it's also clear that, as usual, it's been implemented by people with no clue. "Hey, ICT teachers, how about teaching a totally different subject with no training? Oh and there's no money to send you on any courses, and while we're at it as the school's budget has been cut you're losing half your colleagues. Go!"

 

The whole idea is doomed to fail if something isn't done soon and I genuinely believe that will be at the country's peril. Some argue that they're doing just fine with no CS knowledge and I get that, but we don't teach just solely with the intention of kids getting a career in the subject. CS knowledge can help in all sorts of fields, the ability to write simple algorithms or code can help in just about any office job. We rely on ICT services more and more every year and if we're not producing technologies, we're still going to be consuming them and that's not going to help our economy.

 

TBH the way things are going here, I'm going to be laughing my butt off come September when I start getting phonecalls from people asking me how to do things.

 

"Oh, let's use Raspberry Pi for computing in Year 5/6! ...and get rid of the ONLY person in the school who knows how to use them!"

[JRowley]

ICT Department renamed to Computing Department, looking like it will become a Faculty with Business in the near future at our place.

[VeryPC_Colin_M]

Pretty much the same here. We have just managed to recruit a young and enthusiastic CS teacher so hopefully things will improve but my main concern is in the area of support from those above. The GCSE exam results haven't been that great recently and so the subject has become a bit of a whipping boy, and the current HOD has had enough and is standing down.

@VeryPC_Colin_M - You're preaching to the converted We just need to start preaching to the non-believers and persuade them that there is life outside of Media Studies!

 

Amen to that Brother! There is a stigma attached to the 'Geek' side of IT, but frankly that's the side the magic happens on. As a sector we need to show the cool. Media Studies wouldn't be half as good without great ICT to back it up. I always remember the guys in school who filmed, edited and produced the annual school video - they were like sorcerors to the other kids. ICT was a dark art when I were a lad though.