technology 11
Helping win the battle for computer skills
Computer science – ’the new lingua franca of the 21st century’ – is almost as important within a school curriculum as English or mathematics according to Ian Livingstone CBE, who spoke at the 2015 Southern Tech 100 dinner* in Reading. Livingstone’s insight on the evolution and future of today’s digital world held the invited diners transfixed – and rightly so, writes John Burbedge
Livingstone’s knowledge of the gaming industry – plus his personal championing of its educational values – assisted the UK adoption from September 2014 of new GCSEs in computer science and a fresh ’Programme of Study’ which now teaches children from primary school onwards the fundamentals of computer programming.
“We have to make sure our creative people are equipped with the right digital-world skills for the 21st century“, said Livingstone, one of the founding fathers of the UK gaming industry, part of a thriving global market set to break $100 billion by 2017.
In 1975, he co-founded the Games Workshop company, launched the iconic Dungeons & Dragons computer game in Europe, and helped develop the company into a major retail chain.
During the 1980s, Livingstone co- wrote many of the Fighting Fantasy series game-books. In the 1990s, he was a driving force within Eidos Interactive launching global video games franchises including Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and in 2009 he was appointed Eidos life president.
Livingstone’s work gained a BAFTA Interactive Special Award in 2002 and national honours (2006: an OBE; 2013: a CBE) for services to the computer gaming industry.
In the Wired 100 list of 2012, Livingstone was ranked 16th most influential person in the UK’s digital economy. In 2015, Debrett’s 500 named him as one of the most influential people in UK.
But, while adding humourous detailing to his 40-year career for the Southern Tech 100 guests,
Ian Livingstone addressing the diners
simulation and training. Many gaming skills are the life skills of the 21st century. Such skills could be “the digital Lego“ of the UK’s future economy, Livingstone suggested.
So, look more favourably upon youngsters (and not so young fans) playing computer games. They are simply enhancing personal skills of great value to UK businesses.
Ian Livingstone (third right) with sponsors (from left) Dan Havercroft – Barclays, Duncan White – Marks&Clerk, David Murray – The Business Magazine, David Bloxham – GCS, Neil Tustian – Moore Stephens
Livingstone’s real message of the evening came through his assertion that computer science and gaming is still under-valued and under-supported in relation to its beneficial and potentially vital role in the nation’s economic future.
The tangible result of that heartfelt belief – educational inclusion – has come via Livingstone’s involvement as a government skills champion. And, his chairmanship of the Next Gen Skills committee, which campaigned for computing science to be included in the national schools curriculum, as recommended by the 2011 NESTA Next Gen Report.
The seminal report has led to a step-change in curriculum focus on computing skills, Livingstone explained.
“It’s about turning our children from consumers of technology to creators of it, making sure they are empowered for the digital age.“
Previously, students had been bored by the theoretical and academic nature of Information
Livingstone suggested technology businesses should play a greater role in establishing the right environment for computer science skills and their commercial applications.
and Communication Technologies (ICT) teaching at schools. Now, new computer science curricula are freeing young minds to be imaginative, creative, to make personal and practical engagement with computing, and importantly to equip students with the skills that employers want.
The success of gaming technology had shown the way forward for education. Gaming actually promotes problem-solving, creativity and management skills. Its technology can be used to improve decision-making, motivation,
* Ian Livingstone was speaking at a Southern Tech 100 dinner hosted by The Business Magazine at The Forbury Hotel in Reading and sponsored by bankers Barclays, accountants and business advisers Moore Stephens, patent and trademark attorneys Marks&Clerk and recruitment specialists GCS. The Southern Tech 100 companies employ 18,600 and have an overall turnover of £6.1 billion. The 2015 listings, published in February, are viewable at:
www.businessmag.co.uk
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2015
www.businessmag.co.uk
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