You are here: Home / Groups / Off Topic

Time allocation for Computing in S1-3

  • Graham Tennet
    Participant
    05/10/2012 at 10:22 am

    I am currently having what seems my annual argument with SMT regarding time allocation in S1-3 as we are reorganising the timetable from a 2+2+2 model to a 3+3 with some element of specialisation/choice at some point in S1/2.

     

    The proposed time allocation has 50 minutes a week for ICT which is to include Computing Science, Business Education and ICT before the choice.

     

    My arguments so far for more time/separate Computing & Business Education are as follows:

     

    • 50 minutes a week is not enough time to cover the Experiences and Outcomes for Business, Computing & ICT

    • A combined ICT course is an uneasy compromise that has Business Education staff delivering Computing outcomes and vice versa. There is no suggestion that there should be a combined Physics/Modern Studies course which is comparable.

    • A proposed solution was that Enterprise & ICT could be taught throughout the curriculum. Why, if there are well qualified, enthusiastic and capable staff that could deliver these if given more time?

    • Other subjects with more time in S1-3 will be able to cover more outcomes in more detail and have more time to prepare/start National 4&5 courses

    • Pupils/parents (& other staff) may perceive Admin & IT, Business Management and Computing Science as less important given the time allocation compared to other subjects affecting uptake

    Are there any additional comments that may give my argument more weight?

     

    Thanks in advance,

     

    Graham

    Graham Tennet

    Principal Teacher of Computing and Business Education

    Lasswade High School Centre

    Midlothian

    twitter: @lhsccomputing
    Mrs Janet McDonald
    Participant
    05/10/2012 at 11:07 am

    Hi Graham

     

    Wondered if these might help?

    – What is your uptake like once the pupils start making subject choices?  If it’s good, you could argue that a subject that is clearly popular with the pupils should be given at least parity with other subjects.

    – Pointing out the National demand for Computing qualifications; I believe it is one of the few fields where demand for gradutes currently outstrips supply.

    – Highlighting the valuable generic skills (problem solving, information handling, etc) that pupils gain from studying Computing.

    – We found a perception amongst our managment that pupils didn’t need to study Computing because they already knew it all; that theory might need scotching too.

     

    Hope it helps

    Good luck!

    Janet

     

     

    Graham Tennet
    Participant
    06/10/2012 at 1:29 pm

    Janet

     

    Great suggestions. Thanks very much.

     

    Graham

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.