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Scottish Heads of Computing From School to University Computing 27 th November, 2008

Scottish Heads of Computing From School to University Computing 27 th November, 2008. Greg Michaelson School of Mathematical & Computer Sciences Heriot-Watt University. Scottish ICT Growth. Strong Demand for Staff but Skills Shortage. Strong Demand for Technical Skills.

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Scottish Heads of Computing From School to University Computing 27 th November, 2008

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  1. Scottish Heads of ComputingFrom School to University Computing27th November, 2008 Greg Michaelson School of Mathematical & Computer Sciences Heriot-Watt University

  2. Scottish ICT Growth

  3. Strong Demand for Staff but Skills Shortage

  4. Strong Demand for Technical Skills

  5. Scots studying UG Computing • steady decline in Scots study UG Computing • most Scots study Computing in Scotland Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency, Data Request 28450, Nov 2008

  6. Scots applicants for UK UG Computing • steady decline in Scots applying/accepted for UG Computing Source: UCAS Nov 2008; NB Applicants are classified according to the subject listed most frequently on the application form. For some subjects this creates the impression that there are more people accepted than applied. Acceptances are classified according to the subject of acceptance.

  7. Computing SQA Candidate Numbers • steady decline in SQA Computing candidates Source: SQA Nov 2008

  8. Computing SQA Candidates % 2002 • 2% decline in all; 16% decline in all Computing • 2% decline in all H; 7% decline in Computing H • 13% increase in all AH; 21% decline in Computing AH Source: SQA Nov 2008

  9. Computing SQA Candidates % • 22 % of all SQA at H; 17% of Computing at H Source: SQA Nov 2008

  10. SQA Computing centres • 31 less Advanced Higher centres since 2004 • 12 less Higher centres since 2005 Source: SQA Nov 2008

  11. Computing SQA % All SQA • 0.5% decline in proportion taking Higher since 2004 • 1.0% decline in proportion taking AH since 2004 Source: SQA Nov 2008

  12. SQA Subject Groupings • Accounting; Mathematics • Biology; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Geology; Human Biology; Managing Environmental Resources; Physics • Administration; Architectural Technology; Building Construction; Business Management; Care; Care Practise; Computing; Design; ...; Home Economics; Hospitality; Information Systems... • source: SQA list of 2007 Higher papers

  13. School & Uni Curricula • Universities: • accept Higher Computing for 1st year general entrance • do not require Higher Computing for entrance to 1st year Computer Science • are diffident about Advanced Higher Computing for 2nd year direct entrance

  14. School & Uni Curricula • in other subject specific Highers (e.g. Maths, Physics, Chemistry) , Universities can assume: • appropriate minimum skill • uniformity of content/attainment • programming is key to University Computer Science • in SQA Computing: • programming methodology is not prescribed • most Unis teach object orientation/UML • programming language is not prescribed • most Unis teach Java

  15. School & Uni Curricula • SQA Higher Computing: • core programming content is relatively low • covered in typical Uni 1st year 1 semester module • so can easily be taught to those without prior experience • amount of programming varies depending on options • e.g. more in AI option • SQA Advanced Higher: • has considerably less programming than 1st year Computer Science

  16. IT v Computing v Information Systems • IT is the “4th R” • word processing; Internet; spread sheet; database; presentations • Computing is a specialism • modelling/designing/constructing/evaluating systems • Information Systems is a specialism • how organisations & people deploy systems to manage information

  17. Perceptions of School Computing • Universities think: • students don’t understand what Computing involves • school curricula do not sufficiently distinguish IT, Computing & Information Systems • school/1st year UG students say: • SQA curricula do not take account of what is learnt at home and in primary school • they meet same material in different places • SQA Computing boring/not sufficiently challenging

  18. Perceptions of School Computing • Computing teachers say: • school managers don’t understand Computing • status of Computing weakened because SQA Computing not requirement for University Computer Science • demarcation disputes with Business Studies • subject develops more quickly than curricula • Universities out of touch with School needs

  19. Proposal • short life/light touch joint working party to: • review SQA & University curricula • survey teacher/student/Uni attitudes • clarify misconceptions & mismatches • elaborate longer term structure for optimising school/University articulation in Scotland for Computing • representatives from: • Scottish Government • SQA • SHoC

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