Computing
The new 2014 computing curriculum could solve our IT skills shortage, boost our economy and create thousands more jobs in the future
computer science qualifications to fill the job positions being created. And that means Britain’s teachers having both the right skills and the appropriate support to provide the skills our young people need.
Michael Gove announced earlier this year that computer science is to be introduced as a core subject discipline in the new National Curriculum for Computing in 2014. This is a significant step forward and means the current curriculum will offer the opportunity for more of Britain’s brightest students to learn STEM skills such as coding that will prepare them well for an exciting career in computing.
This is long overdue. Britain’s IT industry is struggling with a substantial skills shortage and progress in addressing it has been slow. Many businesses in London’s technology hub Tech City blame a shortage of skilled workers for slowing their growth. For many companies, the only solution is sourcing highly-trained international talent to fill the gaps - but even this is often hampered by the UK’s bureaucratic visa restrictions.
Comment by Wendy Devolder, founder and CEO, Skills Matter
I
f the UK wants to grow its economy and be a global leader in the fast growing industry of technology, we’ll need many more school and university leavers with top notch
The solution, I believe, lies in two key areas. Firstly, we need to provide students with well-structured learning materials that provide the fundamental skills needed to make a career in IT and that inspire them to do so. The new computing curriculum will teach a fundamental understanding of computing and enable students to be educated creators of technology, the next generation of innovators capable of designing
new computers and programs to boost our economy and improve the quality of life for everyone.
Secondly, the changes needed in teaching Computing and ICT in the UK can only be made by teachers who have the skills, knowledge and technological understanding required to teach the new curriculum well. This is a huge challenge and calls for the whole IT community to work together - from teachers, IT professionals and employers, to organisations such as Computing At School, Code Club, Apps For Good and Raspberry Pi. That’s why Skills Matter has just announced a new partnership with Computing At School (CAS) and Code Club. We hope to engage our 50,000 strong community of software developers to help provide ICT teachers with the right professional support and the confidence for next year’s new computing curriculum.
CAS and Code Club are already doing fantastic work by supporting teachers and their pupils through the provision of fantastic learning materials. Now we want to help them extend their impact by engaging our community to learn and share skills with the teachers who will be teaching the new curriculum.
There is no better industry than tech for building a successful career and by working together, today’s computing students will be the creators of tomorrow’s tech giants. What more motivation do we need?
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skillsmatter.com
Dell offers more for schools
our customers for their loyalty in buying Dell original inks and toners. We are committed to supporting our primary and secondary school customers and to getting them even more from their Dell print consumable purchases. These purchases will award points to be redeemed against valuable school equipment, from Dell classroom technology, to sports equipment and vital classroom supplies. The More for Schools catalogue is rich with rewards for schools using Dell print technology.”
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ell has launched the Dell More for Schools promotion, designed to reward UK primary and secondary schools for purchasing their print consumables, including ink and toner, directly from Dell.
With each purchase made as a More for Schools customer, registered schools are able to earn points based on their purchases, which can be redeemed against items in the More for Schools catalogue, from Dell classroom technology, to school supplies and sports
October 2013
equipment. Points can be redeemed on a regular basis or accumulated over time for redemption against more valuable items including printers, laptops and tablets.
Dell is giving the first 250 customers that sign up to the promotion 20 introductory More for Schools bonus points, which can be redeemed immediately or saved to start a points collection. Dave McNally, Director of Product Marketing, Dell Imaging, EMEA, said: “The Dell More for Schools promotion has been designed to reward
The Dell More for Schools promotion runs from September 2013 until February 2014. Dell will contact eligible schools customers in the UK who are currently purchasing or have purchased Dell original inks and toners within the last three years to invite them to sign-up to the promotion. Schools signed up to Dell More for Schools can gain a maximum of 250 points per transaction and can earn a maximum total of 2,500 points per one month redemption period. Schools earn points from purchasing their Dell ink and toner consumables from
Dell.com or their Dell Premier Pages. They can track and redeem points by logging in to their Dell More for Schools account and will also receive email notification when points have been credited to their accounts.
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www.dell.co.uk/printers u
dellmoreforschools@my-rewards.com
www.education-today.co.uk 21
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