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Future Qualifications May 1, 2008

Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, Subject Support, Uncategorized, future of computing , 1 comment so far

Update 7/5/08 - the full speech and following questions are available here:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-08/sor0424-02.htm#Col7863

Did anyone else read the speech by Fiona Hyslop to parliament regarding the new Qualifications that will come in with CfE?

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/news/this-week/speeches/smarter/natqual

Certainly, there is not a huge amount of detail in Fiona Hyslop’s speech but what is there I think is quite reassuring. I certainly agree in principle to the introduction of standard literacy and numeracy tests, though I wait to see how they will be implemented. Again, her words on the qualifications at SCQF levels 4 and 5 are well chosen, and I would welcome a new, simplified course structure that will hopefully take the best bits of Standard Grade and Intermediate qualifications. Again, her reiteration of Higher remaining the “gold standard” and also the importance she places on Advanced Highers is welcome. Lots of people may question the removal of examined courses equivalent to Foundation, but is there really any point to testing pupils of this ability anyway?

Interesting also her comments about allowing pupils to bypass lower-level qualifications where it is clear they could do highers say, at the end of S3. The idea of a winter diet of exams also appeals to me in principle, though it probably has anyone involved in timetabling clutching their chest right now. 18 month higher - great idea, but again what about those who are perfectly capable of sitting it in 12 months? Can you run both options in one school

Anyway, that’s my $0.02 worth for the moment!

Google does it again? March 3, 2008

Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, Subject Support, Uncategorized , add a comment

I spotted this on the PCW website today - google are releasing an online web authoring package as part of their online apps. Not had a chance to try it out yet, but it looks like an interesting tool for collaborating with classes.  Might just brighten up revision in the run up to the exams!

If anyone gets a chance to try it out before I do, drop me a line and let me know how it goes.

The PCW article is available here, and google sites is available here.

New Laptop February 14, 2008

Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, East Lothian Council, Subject Support , add a comment

I’m currently in the market for a new laptop, which is proving more difficult that I imagined! I need something lightweight for taking to and from work (and using with my other work for BASP), with decent specs for using graphics, video and sound packages, and also reliable. Seems a tall order. My options seem to be:

Comments and thoughts very welcome! (anyone know a good mobile laptop!)

Subject Promotion posters January 24, 2008

Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, Dunbar Grammar, East Lothian Council, Subject Support, Uncategorized, future of computing , 2comments

Now that course choices are starting to get nearer I have decided to make up some flyers/posters this year to promote the subject. I’ve posted the PDFs below if anyone wants to use them - I can send the MS publisher files on request if you wish to adapt them.

Happy selling :-)

My $0.02! November 28, 2007

Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, Subject Support, Uncategorized, future of computing , 5comments

As I mentioned below, I have written a letter to the TESS following up on the article about Computing Science Inside.  In the letter I (try to!) outline what I feel is a big problem with Computing right now - the misunderstanding at all levels as to what the subject is actually about.  Comments very welcome as always, I’ve got the asbestos suit on!

“I was very pleased to read your article about “Computing Science Inside” in last week’s TESS.  I am a self-confessed convert of Dr Cutts’ refreshing work.

I did feel however that the article only touched on what is perhaps a real problem facing Computing in Scotland: a lack of understanding of what the subject is actually about.  It’s not just the fact that “…we are becoming a nation of tool users, not tool builders…” but also the case that the two areas – ICT skills and Computer Science – are seen as one and the same by those who are responsible for the curriculum.

For several years now, there has been a great focus on developing ICT use amongst staff and pupils; the so-called “digital literacy” that enables people to communicate and make use of the technology.  Unfortunately, what this has not addressed is a real need to foster “digital creativity,” i.e. the ability to understand and further develop the technology.  This is what really matters to businesses, giving them the ability to develop new IT products and maintain a technological advantage.

This confusion of ‘true’ Computing with ICT skills has led to the typical situation in many schools around the country where Computing is taught in the first and second years as part of a general ICT course. The normal topics are based around application use and the time is shared between two or even more departments.  Some pupils don’t even see a Computing department until Standard Grade!  Ultimately, Computing has lost it’s identity as a distinct – and scientific – subject. 

On this problem though the ball is firmly in our court: Computing teachers must reassert this lost identity, and CPD such as that offered by the “Computing Science Inside” project is a step in the right direction.  What would also be a positive step would be for national subject promotion and development opportunities: several subjects already have this to varying degrees.

If Computing is to develop in schools and the decline in students applying to study at universities is to be reversed, it is vital we promote the difference between IT and Computing.  Senior Management and Local Authorities can help us too: they must take on board this crucial difference and give Computing its’ rightful place in the curriculum.”

Computing Science inside… November 27, 2007

Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, East Lothian Council, Subject Support, Uncategorized, future of computing , add a comment

 

It was great to see the Computing Science inside… project get some much deserved publicity in TES this week.  I think the article conveyed the real usefulness of these sessions well.  I’m going to be working on a letter to the TES regarding the situation in Computing (as I see it anyway!)  which I’ll share on here when it’s finished.  Who knows, they might even publish it :-)

Quick reminder too - the next CSI session that Edinburgh Uni are holding is on the 11th December.  Full details are available from me, or by contacting Raymond Simpson (Edinburgh Lead Teacher).  Hope to see some more of you there! Further details are in my previous post if you need them.

SQA past papers November 27, 2007

Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, Subject Support, Uncategorized , add a comment

Just in case you missed the post on Ollie’s blog, past papers for 2007 are being made available on the SQA website. You can access them here.

As per previous years, the Marking Instructions are also available in the subject areas. This is certainly a development I firmly approve of! (For computing teachers, I’ve put copies of them into the shared drive.)

Enjoy, and happy revising!

CS Inside workshop October 25, 2007

Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, Subject Support, Uncategorized, future of computing , 1 comment so far

I was one of two teachers from East Lothian (the other being Emma Webster from PL) who attended the CS Inside workshop at Edinburgh Uni’s School of Informatics last night.

I’d first learned about CS Inside at the Future of Computing conference in May, and have been keen ever since to try out some of the ideas. Broadly speaking, the CS Inside project is an attempt to convey important Computing Science concepts in fun ways in the classroom. Computers are not required, and pupils learn about the concepts through role-plays and games that link back to the core concept you are teaching.

Our first challenge of the evening was to design and implement a simple communications protocol, Under the auspices of governers in an ancient city sending massages to each other on stone tablets. Of course, only a certain number of words can be etched on a tablet, and the slaves who deliver them can be notoriously unreliable!

In a room of 13 computing teachers no one actually managed to get a message transmitted, which is of course quite concerning! However, good fun and an excellent example of how something relatively dull like communications protocols can be made more interesting with some imagination. What’s more, all of the resources needed, lesson plans, and powerpoints are downloadable from the CS Inside Website. Great for busy teachers!

The second workshop was aiming to demonstrate what algorithms were using the idea of trying to write down instructions for drawing a mystery shape and getting another person to follow them. Unfortunately I was unable to complete this workshop as I had to leave for the long drive home, but again this idea showed great promise and interest.

In short, I’d thoroughly encourage all Computing Teachers to try and get to some of these sessions. The next ones are on the 11th December, 16th January and 21st February at 4:30pm Appleton Tower. Raymond Simpson, Lead Teacher at Edinburgh City Council is co-ordinating them, so you should contact him to ‘book’ your place (free!)   -->

Future of Computing Education, an interlude, and today’s news… June 15, 2007

Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, Subject Support, Uncategorized, future of computing , add a comment

Hi folks,

Haven’t disappeared off the face of the earth (yet) Just very busy. The second day’s notes from the conference will be up shortly, I promise!

Interesting articles today in Computing magazine - The front page leads with ‘Employers want IT graduates with business skills‘ Also inside is ‘China hot on UK skills’ Heels’.

Finally the editorial this week - ‘A balance needs to be struck‘. I certainly think these articles are very relevant to our thoughts on the future of Computing education in Scotland.

Future of Computing Education, Part 8 - Creative Computing May 11, 2007

Posted by Mark Tennant in : Computing, Subject Support, future of computing , add a comment

This will be a slightly shorter post than the last one, honest!  This session heard from Mark Pendleton about a project called “languagezone” in East Ayrshire.

Background

In 2002, East Ayrshire Council was becoming concerned about the languages uptake and attainment in secondary schools.  The decision was reached to set up a ‘virtual school’ of languages.  Technology had changed, young people had changed, and digital multitasking is now the norm – ‘Digital Natives’.  With all this in mind ‘languagezone’ was set up.

lzone_banner.gif

The project

Languagezone was designed to unite a number of schools from local authorities, including remote schools in Argyll and Bute, on one interactive website.  The languages curriculum was delivered through chatrooms, articles, podcasts and traditional web pages, all under the control of classroom teachers.  Being based on the internet, it was also possible to get real speakers of the languages in other countries involved.

What can we learn

The project has been a success and has increased both languages uptake and achievement.  I have already spoken of a desire to set up a similar scheme in my very first blog post back in February 2006.  However, with Glow (distant glimmer?) on the horizon I have been holding off.  Having now seen Glow, however, I may rethink that decision!

Whatever my views on Glow however, it will truly be a national resource, and me must not miss the opportunity to engage learners using this.  If it doesn’t work in Glow, we will just have to go it alone.

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