Classes on coding set to replace current ICT curriculum

It was only 12 months ago that our Government was seriously considering making the subject ICT non compulsory. However, in a turn around it has been decided that the ICT curriculum will not be scrapped but instead replaced with computer science lessons. It will be these lessons that will teach the young generation today how to learn and develop programming skills.

Anna Debenham is a frontend developer and has been campaigning for a while now to change the way IT is taught in education. She for one is pleased by the news. One point Anna made quite clearly was how she disagreed with how the way IT has been taught.  Anna explained how she was taught IT at school and how frustrated she used to get because all she was taught in IT was glorified Microsoft Office. 'Rather than being taught proper IT  we are being taught basic and out dated IT. It would make more sense not to be taught IT. However, easier said than done because a million kids in the UK today don't have access to a computer at home. If IT was totally removed from the syllabus it would mean more kids would leave school without the basic knowledge in IT that would be required by almost any employer. Anna was quoted as saying "That's why I'm delighted with the news that ICT is finally going to be replaced with a new computer science programme and given such a high status".


This new computer science program would include a range of subjects including science, maths and engineering. Hopefully when the program is taught it will relate to something young people identify with - computer and video games and help them progress in the subjects going forward. Not everyone will want to be a computer programmer or computer whizz kid, but if they are taught in the right way they will be much more computer literate and not be scared of entering the IT industry.

In the curriculum

Initially coding was always taught as part of the curriculum but was later removed. Creative coder Seb Lee-Delisle said that at the age of 11 he was being taught coding on a BBC Micro and that was back in 1983. She pointed out that it appeared the teaching of programming is going backwards instead of forwards. Seb added that he was optimistic about the changes and all the recent progress and was excited about the momentum that was being  displayed around learning how to code in 2012. One of the contributory factors to this he thinks is the easy access of JavaScript. Full of enthusiasm and optimistic about   the progress Seb went on to say "he was really excited about the momentum that was building around learning how to code in 2012 adding JavaScript was a major contributory factor.  With other exciting projects such as Processing, Arduino and the Raspberry PI, it's such an inspiring time to learn code".

With the first step of ditching the pointless classes taken, the next challenge is to start engaging new students and ensuring they are interested. What Seb wants to see how new variables in coding can be used to draw and animate as there is nothing more engaging than visual coding.

However, the one negative is that there seems to be not enough qualified people to teach this new course.  The Guardian reported that out of the 28,000 teachers that qualified in 2012, only three of those had a computer related degree. With this shocking evidence all is not lost as the community is more than happy to pitch in to get the IT syllabus back on track.  It has never been more critical for the community to help as if they don't the program will not succeed. By getting more involved in education the community can ensure the teachers are properly equipped to deliver interesting and engaging lessons.  Hopefully, the program will be a success and the curriculum will not be a joke like the last one did.