-----Original Message----- From: Ian [mailto:ian.lynch2@ntlworld.com] Sent: 05 February 2002 21:38 To: Bruce Miller; Suse-Linux-Uk-Schools Subject: Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] The changing face of ICT On Tuesday 05 February 2002 08:08, Bruce Miller wrote:
I don't intend to answer every single point of what Ian says other to say that in general, I agree.
Flattery will get you everywhere :-) _________________ The old 'divide and rule' thing I guess. - if we can't find agreement and a voice then the goverment will keep walking all over the top of our us at chalkface while we squabble. I
What I don't agree with is this harsh way in we are talking about future members of our society.
Agreed. There are some little ar**holes about but there always have been and the vast majority of young people are extremely hard working - I was gobsmacked when I started teaching because it brought home tome what a waster I had been :-).
There seems to be an obsession with with maths and programming as the only solution to ICT training as well. I have twenty students all wanting to do an A'level in multimedia, web design, Flash, 3d max, cinema and games design. The head is on my back to come up with the goods. Universities are now offering courses in this but I can't find an A'level syllabus because of this obsession. Maths and programming has it's place but computing is about more than just this, these days.
Yes what do you think of the new specialist school category for maths and computing? Especially when they say programming doesn't really matter ;-) ______________________ This is the problem all round. Arts are separate to computing and so is Technology. The kind of stuff that I have outlined above just doesn't seem to fit anywhere. But it is really essential. Ian also wrote: ICT is not up for grabs, its politically symbolic and has been hi-jacked by the likes of BECTa who get funded to the tune of about £12m a year to further their agenda under the guise of being official advisors to the DfEE. The only real way to counter this is to set fires burning at grass roots level that will eventually roast the quangos and LEA bureaucracy into action. ________________ Hopefully we can hammer on the right doors; especially if we have a united voice. - Internet Britain, Broadband Britain etc etc. This won't happen if we can't teach the subject because trained twenty years ago pen pushers at whitehall, mowlem hall or where ever can't see what needs doing. regards, -- Bruce. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands, e-mail: suse-linux-uk-schools-help@suse.com