Parents Unaware Of IT Curriculum Changes

Most parents (60%) are either unaware or unsure of changes to the computing curriculum occurring this month, according to new research.

From September 2014, IT programmes in UK schools will focus on computer science, information technology and digital literacy.

BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, claims these are the biggest changes to the way computing is taught in schools since computers were first introduced into education.

The Institute conducted a survey to research how parents feel about these changes – as well as finding most parents were unsure of the IT curriculum, 88% of participants reported that they felt computing skills would help their children become successful in life.

Despite this, just 48% of respondents say they would encourage their children to study IT at GCSE or A Level.

“It’s great that parents recognise just how important computing is and they think learning about it will help their child be more successful,” claimed Bill Mitchell, BCS director of education.

“But the fact they are less enthusiastic when it comes to encouraging their child to take a computing qualification is a real worry.

“Virtually everything we do these days depends on technology so it’s important children learn about it and can study the underlying principles that explain how computing works.

“There is a huge demand for people with the right skills to work in technology and it is vital that we encourage youngsters to consider careers in this field,” he added.

Children Will Be Equipped With “Lifelong Skills”

The new IT curriculum is reportedly specially designed to equip young people with the skills, knowledge and understanding of computing that they will require throughout the rest of their lives.

Such skills include knowing how computers and their systems work, designing and building programmes and developing their ideas using technology.

“Interestingly, 67% of parents questions in our survey also said they think we need more people who can invent technology to solve the world’s problems, claimed Mitchell.

“These future inventors could well be their own children – if they are given the right support, encouragement and education,” he added.

According to BCS, children from primary school age and upwards both enjoy and are good at computing and this aids intellectual development, literacy and numeracy skills.

It adds that learning the fundamentals of computer science is important to the development of the UK’s future engineers, scientists and creators of technology.

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