Hi
----- Original Message -----
From: "ICT Support Officer"
Nothing so far has impressed me here in UK as far as ICT is concerned. Definition of ICT should be revised for schools. On the one hand staff and students use ICT facilities to aid their core subjects. There are many examples of this. In science, there is so called data logging facilities. Without computers they cannot record their data analysis. Should all Physics students learn how to program. Well, I think not. They do however need the necessary skills to use computers, and various software applications. We have secretarial and Business studies. Students doing these courses also need to use various applications to aid their core learning. So the point I am trying to make here is that ICT is just a set of tools and learning to use such tools should be integrated into their core learning. A mechanic cannot repair an engine without tools...which brings me to my second point (or ..on the other hand bit). Currently, most schools in UK appear to be stuck with Microsoft products. Mostly the reasons for this is negative and quite frankly that is how the tax payers money is wasted. A mechanic can pick and choose whatever tools he needs to get the job done and not necessarily the most expensive or elegant tool. Schools however seem to choose the most expensive software tools. Most of the time the argument is that, that is what the standard is in industry. Microsoft does not set standards, they sell goods. In many cases they completely ignore International standards (in my opinion). Not everyone drives BMWs or Mercedes's.
Up to this point I totally agree
Computing, as it was called in the old days should be a branch of ICT as computer studies where students are taught how to program, whether it's web programming, databases, spreadsheets etc.
What do you mean by "web programming"? I doubt very much if Perl (yuck), PHP, Coldfusion. Miva Mia, Python, C, etc CGI is taught in schools. So what are we left with? WYSIWYG, drag and drop, HTML editors like FrontPage. Now that could hardly be described as "web programming". Wordprocessing, Presentations, etc are definitely the realm of Business Studies and/or Secretarial. ICT has absolutely no relationship with Computer Studies, except that a computer may used as a tool.
This however does not appear to be the norm as I read all postings here. ICT departments should be lead by people who have through knowledge of all aspects of computing. Currently there are very few such people in schools. It's like having, say a pilot, running the ENT department of a hospital. I know my example is a bit extreme but you get the drift.
What can we do to correct this situation....Well, that is the real question, isn't it??
M Gural
Network Manager
Canon Palmer Catholic School
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Regards John