Fancy bunking off of IT?

Beyond the desktop
Posted in Technology Fiona MacBlain by Fiona MacBlain on 9 Jan 2012. 7 comments

Last week I was listening to a very interesting programme on Radio 4 discussing and comparing the education systems throughout the world. Very quickly the discussion turned to technology and one of the contributors Nick Wilson, MD of HP UK stated that it was a bit embarrassing for him that his daughter wasn't completing a GCSE in IT as she had failed her exam on completing a spreadsheet.

This comment brought me back to my IT lessons at school and how rigid and uninspiring they were. In fact there was nothing more boring than a double IT lesson on a Tuesday afternoon. I remember the class size on the first day was 25 and half way through the term it had rapidly decreased to a handful of pupils, I think it was actually a plausible excuse to duck out of the lesson if you had other core subject work to complete.

So why were IT lessons considered bottom of the pack when I would imagine 90% of our future jobs would be enabled by technology?  Why were we being taught how to use software (or make spreadsheets) but not being taught how software is being made?

Join the campaign

The Guardian has launched a campaign to improve IT and computer science teaching in schools and universities.  There will be live Q&A sessions run this Wednesday and Thursday where you can hear what teachers, lecturers and the the experts have to say.

So if you feel let down by your lack of ICT education or feel you could help the campaign then please do follow the debate which will be live this week.

7 comments

This is a really important area for teachers and lecturers and one that clearly needs addressing. If we are to compete in the 21st. Century then it is important that our young people learn how to be confident with ICT and develop their skills and knowledge base in this area.

I would like to forward the connection to the Guardian by this 360/link to all of my postgraduate students who are hoping to become teachers. Are you happy for me to do this?
Dr. Sean MacBlain 16:54 09 Jan 2012
Great article Fiona. I would be appalled if IT classes are still run like they were when I was at school 15 yrs ....it was only boys that opted to study it and it was never ever discussed as a subject that would lead to an actual career.
Ria ball 22:22 09 Jan 2012
I don't actually remember going to any IT lessons, guess that says it all really. I spent most of my life on my computer now though!
Jess 11:30 10 Jan 2012
When I speak to children about what I do the first question is always
"you mean you make games :) ?"

if the answer is no then no more questions.

So the answer has to be "It can be games, or parts of games or websites or ... then I can get maybe two or three questions before the intrest goes.

I never had the oppurtunity to do IT, at our school the door to the IT room was only opened one a year to check the lock still worked.

I'm joining the campaign, and I want to see more inspiration in ICT lessons.
Mark 13:58 10 Jan 2012
Being the parent of young kids it's interesting seeing how they interact with computers. Back in the day IT was quite a dry subject (though I remember programming a turtle!) Modern kids don't have that negative association - for them a computer is an entertainment portal as much as an office tool.
Mark 11:20 11 Jan 2012
Hi Fiona

I'm involved in a project that aims to do just this - we're trying to use the medium of software to increase student engagement at primary and secondary schools.

Students these days are incredibly I.T. savvy, are incredibly active on social networks and they play games a lot. We see these as "skills" (social networking and game dynamics) that should be utilised and complemented and as such we've developed a suite of SAAS based tools to increase engagement .

I won't post our name here (as I don't want to appear as a blog spammer) but the results have been incredibly encouraging - the social networking element in particular has had a great impact in improving confidence and student collaboration.

Software in general is moving towards a more SAAS / cloud based approach and our evidence is that it is working in the classroom too.

Janusz
Janusz Stabik 19:50 13 Jan 2012
That is true. As an author and business man, I can relate to how you said, "This comment brought me back to my IT lessons at school and how rigid and uninspiring they were". I hope more people discover your blog because you really know what you're talking about. Can't wait to read more from you!
Daniel Milstein 22:12 27 Jan 2012

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