ICT Changes
When I was at school, IT taught me things I’d already learnt on the home PC. I took extra classes, known as OCR and RSA, which certified that I could type accurately and use a variety of functions in Word and Excel. I did these extra classes because I thought they would be good for my CV and therefore my career. There were no more advanced options available – even for a bright student like me.
Now the government is demanding an overhaul and I’m not surprised.
<Past glory></past glory>
At one time the UK was at the frontline of computing and our technological advancements were the envy of countries that now dominate, like Japan and the US. We still take pride in old heroes like Alan Turing and even the BBC, with their computers for schools initiative, back when teaching IT really meant something.
For me, the BBC computers for schools initiative is mind boggling. My husband, who is only about three years older than me, learnt to programme computers as a child. He bought magazines filled with computer programmes and used school and home computers to hone his skills. Fast forward to when I was learning IT and, oh yes, I learnt to type. At a moderate speed.
We don’t need armies of secretaries anymore – it’s not the sixties. So why did we ever take a step backwards? What made the government or the teachers stop in the mid 80s and say, “hang on – this computer programming is never going to catch on. Internet shminternet!”
<shock horror>
Fast forward a few more years and people have rediscovered the value of these skills and the diversity of jobs and possibilities available to people with real in-depth computer skills has snowballed.
It makes me angry to think that my education was so abused. I feel as if years of my life have been wasted. All those jobs I wanted but couldn’t apply for because I lacked the basic skills. And yes, I know I can still learn them now. I could even enrol on a third university degree course if I wanted to (and had the time and money available). But I could also have learnt them at school instead of spending valuable time proving skills I already possessed. The ability to find letters on my keyboard. The ability to copy and paste. The ability to insert tables.
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The lesson? You cannot trust schools to get it right. Just because something is, or isn’t on the curriculum, don’t think it has to be this way. I implore every child and teenager to educate themselves about the possibilities that may be available to you because you cannot rely on the authorities to guide you properly.
With hindsight I can easily see the shortcomings of the education system I was raised in. At the time, it was all I knew.
Chris 03 Feb 12
The way I see it, Schools should exist to give children the tools they need to teach themselves about the things that interest them – and instill a passion to encourage them to use those tools.
A good grasp of languages, maths and science – along with a broader exploration of other subjects to whet the appetite should be enough to get someone going!
Rachel Pictor 14 Feb 12
If you don’t even get a taster – or aren’t made aware of the opportunities – there’s a real danger you’ll end up clueless when it comes to careers. Children need to learn how they can apply languages, maths and science in the real world to earn a living. It shouldn’t just be about ticking boxes or following a curriculum.