NFER conducted research using a sample of 770 ICT Teachers – their findings are interesting.
Question 1
Recently announced changes to the teaching and learning of ICT in schools give greater freedom to teachers to decide what is covered. In your view, which of the following areas are priorities for your school for inclusion in a new ICT/computer science curriculum?
So 40% rate programming as low priority (at best) and 89% rate ‘computer skills’ as medium priority or higher.
And the conclusion?
Matt Walker, a Research Manager at NFER, said: “the findings suggest that more work needs to be done in equipping ICT teachers with the skills and expertise required to teach computer science and in communicating to them why it is needed.”
(sounds a little like the main outcome of the Royal Society report)
Interesting stuff – That might have to change with the new curriculum – Not necesarily going to change with the EBacc stuff.