A1 Unfortunately, I think computer science is still perceived as "just for boys" and very intimidating for girls. Hopefully, we can change that! #CASchat
A1 #caschat theres a retirement if both but geeks are cool niw, arent they. I think the more physical computing opportunities we can give at Primary level, the cooler and more inclusive things will become
A1) CS certainly at Primary is seen as a subject for all, girls get involved as much as boys - I guess the challenge is maintaining this as they get older we need more girls in computing #caschat
A1 #caschat theres a retirement if both but geeks are cool niw, arent they. I think the more physical computing opportunities we can give at Primary level, the cooler and more inclusive things will become
A1. At HE level it is unclear but, totally unstatistically based on my classes today, we might be seeing a slight improvement in the male:female student ratio but if it is v slight. #caschat
I think the problem with teachers some times is not feeling the subject is geeky but a lack of confidence in subject knowledge build this and it will really help #caschat
A1 Son's secondary school, after a year with no IT/CS teachers now has two, one of whom is female, so hopefully this will have a positive effect. #caschat
A1 Unfortunately, I think computer science is still perceived as "just for boys" and very intimidating for girls. Hopefully, we can change that! #CASchat
A1. I think many teachers still see it in (ironically) binary fashion, if your into technology you are a geek and nerdy, it is something I have always tried to shake but it is difficult #caschat
Whenever someone (usually my kids and/or their friends) call me a geek - I say 'Oh no, don;t call me a geek, some of the richest people in the world are geeks'.. #caschat
A1 my #CodeClub is massively oversubscribed. All girls except for 1 boy. But then I suppose I’m a girl teaching CS across KS1&2 so girls are expected to excel 🤷🏼♀️ #caschat
It could be something to do with linking it into the tech we use every day ie building apps. Girls use apps as much as the boys so that could be capitalised on. #caschat
A1. Fun activities like #HourOfCodehave helped many students, teachers & parents realise that coding is not for geeks only. In fact, most students in my coding club want to continue coding and don’t want to go home. #caschat
Experience has shown me that having a female role model has a definite positive impact on the uptake of girls taking up STEM related subjects! #caschat
A1 We have all male classes in 4 year groups. This changed this year in Y9 to 20 boys & 10 girls. I think this is mainly down to #cyberFirstGirls event last year. I hope to involve former sixth form females, to inspire next years girls #caschat
Continued promotion of female role models from the past and present is vital, alongside a sift in outcomes (screen based outcomes vs object based outcomes) #caschat
Get parents involved - Use the why play games when you can make them line, I end school workshops with a parent showcase to get them involved its well received. #caschat
Oftentimes I see teachers only asking the male students for help when it comes to difficulties with technology, they should ask girls too so that everyone is involved! #caschat
Hi all, bit late checking in tonight, found out my long term contract was ending early (due to leadership restructure - not my teaching!) so have been job hunting! #caschat
never sure on this one. We have lots of female science teachers but struggle to get girls to take the subjects at higher levels. They are direct role models, or are you thinking within general culture? I'd agree with that - there's more a cultural lack of visibility #caschat
#CASChat A2 Allowing students a high degree of autonomy over what they choose to create and how. This makes a big difference, as opposed to “ok, everyone, follow this coding worksheet to build this game so it looks like everyone else’s”
A2: Cool is not the word I would use, I think we need to think about about we can make computing science 'relevant ' to the needs of our students, if they see a need for CS they will want to use/understand it more #caschat
Q1 Perceptions and what I think are two different things however, I think the media ( e.g. films like Hidden Figures, Imitation Game etc.) can influence. At ground level, computing is a subject for all. The maker community demonstrate that very well. #caschat
I've always believed that gaming has a place in society - and believe it is much more beneficial than televsion. That argument is for another time. #caschat
A2 The kids have technology and subjects they think are cool - mobiles, fashion, games, social media, esports, etc. That's where the curriculum should be focused around. #caschathttps://t.co/RYS2dEnA9B
A2: Cool is not the word I would use, I think we need to think about about we can make computing science 'relevant ' to the needs of our students, if they see a need for CS they will want to use/understand it more #caschat
A2 - I think computing is the hook, and children are naturally drawn towards any extra clubs etc. The challenge I find is making it relevant, and giving children experiences they can devleop themselves at home or share with their peers #caschat
A2: I used to teach the basics at the beginning using console applications. Maybe in hindsight that wasn't such a good idea. My issue was that GUI apps would mean that they would get caught up with design vs functionality. #caschat
Good evening everyone #caschat. I am teaching World Space Week lesson for Year 5 from tomorrow on the International Space Station project. Coding in Python to collect live data. Year 5 will watch a live downlink, tour of the ISS using 3D glasses and tuning into Farnham SDR-ISS.
A1 Agree with adding the Arts in. And gaming is a great example. But only works if you're into gaming, which is not all by GCSE, especially the girls. Key is linking with individual passions - plenty of opportunity with coding. @ForrisHilier@clcsimon@zoewrightedu#caschat
In reply to
@hardistymark, @ForrisHilier, @clcsimon, @zoewrightedu
I'm not so sure, I'm sure the girls do game, just not Call of Duty. Gear the projects accordingly, apps, tech in fashion, sport, music (sonic pi), whatever. 100% agree with gearing around the individual. #caschat
In reply to
@TopTenWeb, @ForrisHilier, @clcsimon, @zoewrightedu
#thirded#CASChat my students have made some really good games which engage a lot of the other students. Although I once failed a job interview for talking to the students on the panel about gaming as the SLT thought I was putting it on to "get down with the kids" 😂
In reply to
@OkComputing, @kjkillick, @martincaddy, @CCCC_9999
Good evening everyone #caschat. I am teaching World Space Week lesson for Year 5 from tomorrow on the International Space Station project. Coding in Python to collect live data. Year 5 will watch a live downlink, tour of the ISS using 3D glasses and tuning into Farnham SDR-ISS.
Also need to be careful not to assume what girls and boys are into. Best thing is to ask and then try to cater for different interests. Not all girls and boys are into things we think they are #caschat
In reply to
@hardistymark, @TopTenWeb, @ForrisHilier, @clcsimon, @zoewrightedu
A2 Vary activities. #Programming in #Python almost always revolves around simple games. Low stakes activities such as @quizlet to repeatedly cover key terms and being top of the leader board is #cool#gamification#CASchat
This is great! We have created a resource on @LGfL to support this idea as well, women in Computing aims to recognise and promote the achievements of women in British computing https://t.co/dOlN0wk2Hz#caschat
A1 (sorry I'm late)
Just finished an assignment on this. It's scary how many 'cool' resources lean towards geeky references, but this deters girls who see the stereotype as something negative ☹️
Replace your sci-fi posters with artwork & drop the stereotypes! #caschat
A3 in Primary Codeclub the Astro PI Mission Zero was a great success last year and we'll be doing it again this year.
It's simple and very cool!
#caschat
Contentious subject, but I believe that this is a very good thing to do. How are your applications going to be secure if you can't think like a hacker. My favourite hacker article is https://t.co/k6Z3YGlvEB#caschat
I'm thinking of more mainstream titles like Dota2. The learning possibilities! Resource Management, Operations, Strategy, Team Work, Evaluation - so many skills vital to business #caschat
In reply to
@martincaddy, @MrsMounsey, @OkComputing, @CCCC_9999
A3) I once demoed the command line and was instantly labelled a hacker - It brought a discussion about what is good / not ethical etc. Although the instantly saw the command line as cool for all the wrong reasons! #caschat
A3: Setting up CS projects that highlight issues/problems that are around the school/local area gives students the need/want to create an answer that works #caschat
Very well! In fact, many did it for the first time in their lives & now understand why their kids love it. Making them content creators and not just consumers. #caschat
There's no one specific activity. It's about making it accessible, challenging, practical, opportunities to apply skills, relevant, supported etc etc
#caschat
A3 -I like to start with projects on Makey Makey or similar for fun, and then introduce projects - sometimes linked to competitions or real life improvements - and I love using physical Pi programming, where we can combine DT and junk modelling with computing! #caschat
A3: Setting up CS projects that highlight issues/problems that are around the school/local area gives students the need/want to create an answer that works #caschat
A3 In my code club occasional bring in robots (Red below came once - no coding unfortunately - went down well especially with the girls) , junkbots (making robot out of junk and crumbles) and microbits #caschat
I got my Y10 GCSE class to plan and code the full lyrics to this, in the fewest number of lines possible last week. They got to use #lists#loops and some great #pairedProgramming. #caschat
A3 Astro:Pi Mission Zero went down well last year, also a mini micro:bit hackathon, and projects with a social good element. This year we're working on energy efficient housing. #caschat
Q4. How effective have the developments undertaken over the last couple of years been in improving the perception and what lessons can be learnt? #CASChat
#Caschat A3 - gamification of hte curriculum. My Y12 has a set of lessons that allows them to make a text adventure game. All coding lessons have a "silly program" to make, "shakespere insult-o-matic" - "thou suck-eth"
A3 Astro:Pi Mission Zero went down well last year, also a mini micro:bit hackathon, and projects with a social good element. This year we're working on energy efficient housing. #caschat
A1 I openly label myself as a geek, then highlight the fact i'm so lame that i've gone past uncool and come out the other side. the Cyber @CyberDiscUK challenge did help with keen-ness last year #CASChat
A3 I don't have an answer for this as I haven't taught a class yet but does anyone have any suggestions for when I do start teaching? What activities do students respond to best? #caschat
A5 IMHO we have moved from a dull ICT curriculum to a dull CS curriculum. It perhaps needs a brand change, but most certainly needs a 21st century curriculum that looks into the future and is written by talking to kids! #caschathttps://t.co/M5dwzbwYeJ
Q4. How effective have the developments undertaken over the last couple of years been in improving the perception and what lessons can be learnt? #CASChat
A3: Who are we trying to attract here? Somebody who'll turn up on week one and expect to know everything? Like any other hobby - this is one where you require passion and patience. #caschat
Q4. How effective have the developments undertaken over the last couple of years been in improving the perception and what lessons can be learnt? #CASChat
A4 #caschat From personal experience, the support and CPD from @CAS_Manchester@Activ8Thinking@DawnHewitson@cgarside have been invaluable. The difference between just following aprescruotuve plan and being brave enough to strike out, be creative and have confidence
Q4. How effective have the developments undertaken over the last couple of years been in improving the perception and what lessons can be learnt? #CASChat
Since reading this article @OkComputing I have been looking at lock picking kits on Amazon - transparent locks included for less than £20. I did have to explain to the network manager it was for #pedagogical reasons though! #caschat
In reply to
@OkComputing, @HelloWorld_Edu, @OkComputing
Have you seen the UFO one as well? DIMM is cool and I took one to my Code Club and one of the girls lead on building itand definitely saw it has her robot (nice to see) #caschat. Crumble's great for junkbots.
In reply to
@DdR333, @Binarybotstech, @CazMinty, @BBCmicrobit
i'm not a big fan of gimmics in the classroom (haven't got the curriculum time), aim to make your lessons awesome, then you get more kids. Word has got around; computer science is hard, but my numbers stick at 55 #caschat
A4) Certainly bringing in CS at Primary level where boys and girls seem to access it equally will hopefully carry on as they move through secondary #caschat
A5 IMHO we have moved from a dull ICT curriculum to a dull CS curriculum. It perhaps needs a brand change, but most certainly needs a 21st century curriculum that looks into the future and is written by talking to kids! #caschathttps://t.co/M5dwzbwYeJ
Q4. How effective have the developments undertaken over the last couple of years been in improving the perception and what lessons can be learnt? #CASChat
A2. Bringing robots into coding & also other forms of physical computing. When kids see the power of code, it sucks them in like quicksand. Showing them how cool @Tesla cars are & point out how code is involved makes them permanent converts. #caschat
Over the past 2 years, I've had maybe 10 kids tell me that they have bought or asked for Pi's or Microbits. I think the Microbit especially is popular because of the low price and easy setup
#caschat
A2. Also getting industry involved, by collaborating with cool tech companies & arranging visits for the students to their offices. When students get to see how computing keeps the world going round, there’s no turning back! #caschat
Also got a few trips in this year that I haven't done before, Year 10's go to @DisneylandParis in 6 weeks for computing seminars and the year 12's are going to @bletchleypark in July #caschat
This is just my opinion, but i think we really need to change some of the curriculum for primary here in the UK and of course the never ending problem of funding for it #caschat
Yeah, robots are brilliant! We have some Pi-based ones that I made. They're a great way to introduce Python as the code makes so much more sense when they can see it in action in real life
#caschat
my ready player one unit has XP for every part of the lesson that they complete. at set markpoints they have to "find their level" based on the XP they have earned #caschat
Had a computer generated art exhibition, played algorithm robots at BETT with real, live students, made games - lots of games, made robots, made music ( with @maggiephilbin ) Lots of cool stuff! #caschat
Also got a few trips in this year that I haven't done before, Year 10's go to @DisneylandParis in 6 weeks for computing seminars and the year 12's are going to @bletchleypark in July #caschat
Got 43 of them going with me - they do 2 seminars (including one on algorithms) and design a roller coaster looking at sensors and things, 3 nights and 3 days in the park #caschat
A5) Improve teacher subject knowledge and confidence. Also it has a perception of being expensive it's amazing what you can do with an old £20 netbook and Raspbian linux! #caschat
A5: Show it's cross curricular value. Show how IT can make an impact in other subjects such as languages, PE, science, etc. IT is useless without a real world application. #caschat
A5 - staff subject knowledge, convice SLT that computing is the future! The one thing we know about our children's future careers is they need to be computer literate, so give the subject a greater importance! #caschat
A4. I think it’s awesome. So many initiatives to help users take their first step and jump over their first hurdle. It’s a great time to be alive and to start to learn a coding language. @scratch 3 is going to be big with newbies! #caschat
Social mobility? Jobs? Technology is now and the future. Should have an automatic buy-in from school leaders surely? No brainer if we care about kids' futures? #caschathttps://t.co/LudW2oCzmi
i think it's about training, its about making a "cool curriculum", it;s about developing a literacy and rigour in the subject rather than just focusing on skills. #caschat
A5 - staff subject knowledge, convice SLT that computing is the future! The one thing we know about our children's future careers is they need to be computer literate, so give the subject a greater importance! #caschat
I've seen SLTs thinking that anyone can teach computing. You need a little bit of a maths brain to be a good programmer. It's not all about being able to just switch the thing on, and being able to switch it off and back on again! #caschat
i'm a bit scared about the lack of "basics" being taught. there is no database or spreadsheet knowledge coming from primary, and is slowly being pushed out of KS3. Curriculum time is always a challenge at KS3, less time than every other bucket 2 subject #caschat
There's still so much variance in the quality and quantity of what is being taught, both at pri & sec schools. I think a big part is down to budgets and there being no guidance on minimum equipment spec
#caschat
#caschat it's changing a mindset. that only starts happening when results start dipping because kids arn't being taught properly lower down the school. you can't start nailing them at GCSE with keywords, it has to start from Y7
Oh my! I always struggled with maths at school (thrilled with my B at GCSE). Not sure I’m a good programmer (YET) but you’ve made me feel a little bit boffinish #caschat
#caschat totally agree with you there, i make sure my yr 4, 5 and six have a well rounded knowledge of all of this as some schools are just not doing it whatsoever
Please join me in giving @OkComputing a huge thank you for an awesome job hosting tonight. We'll be back again same time next week - hope to see you there!
#caschat
