Transcript DEL Workshop 21st Octover 2008 - Department for Employment

The Higher Education Academy
Subject Centre for Information and Computer Sciences
University of Ulster
Gerry McAllister
OUR WORK
• The Academy's role is to be a nationwide focus for enhancing
teaching, learning and students' experiences in higher education. We
work with institutions, discipline groups and individual staff within
the four countries of the UK.
• Informing Policy
• Supporting Institutions
• Research and Evaluation
• Supporting Learning
• Development and Recognition
• Individual Recognition
• National Teaching Fellowship
• New Academic Staff
• Part-time Teachers
OUR WORK
• The Academy provides subjectspecific support for enhancing the
student learning experience through
our nation-wide network of 24
Subject Centre's.
Art, Design and Media
Bioscience
Built Environment (CEBE)
Business, Management, Accountancy and Finance (BMAF)
Economics
Education (ESCALATE)
Engineering
English
Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES)
HEALTH Network Group
Health Sciences and Practice
History, Classics and Archaeology
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism (HLST)
Information and Computer Sciences
Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies (LLAS)
Law (UK Centre for Legal Education - UKCLE)
Materials (UK Centre for Materials Education)
Maths, Stats & OR Network (MSOR)
Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine (MEDEV)
PALATINE - Dance, Drama and Music
Philosophical and Religious Studies
Physical Sciences
Psychology
Sociology, Anthropology and Politics (C-SAP)
Social Policy and Social Work (SWAP)
SUMMARY
• Declining student numbers studying computing in HE
– -25% since 2004
• Declining numbers studying ‘A’ level computing
– -46.8% since 2003
• Graduands in computing will decline until at least 2010
• UCAS computing applications down 48.2% since 2001
• All subject HE graduands and applications increasing
– +5.1% since 2003
• Additional requirement of 20,000 Computing graduates predicted pa
until 2016 to meet IT labour market predictions
Source: Technology Counts: IT and Telecoms insights
2008 (e-skills UK)
UCAS UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS & ACCEPTANCES FOR
COMPUTING COURSES (1996 – 2007)
SOURCE HTTP:/WWW.UCAS.AC.UK
University Graduands All Subjects
University Graduands Computing
‘A’ LEVEL STUDENTS
Source: Technology Counts: IT and Telecoms insights
2008 (e-skills UK)
Demand v Supply
A-Level: ICT, Applied (VCE) ICT and
Computing in NI
No. Candidates
Computing
ICT
VCE ICT
dbl
VCE ICT
Jun-04
433
738
682
377
2230
19%
18%
Jun-05
354
1097
1142
511
3104
11%
16%
Jun-06
224
1114
1067
479
2884
8%
16%
Jun-07
178
1187
1073
271
2709
7%
16%
UK
Tot
%Computing
%Computing
No. centres/schools
Jun-07
Source: JCQ, 2007 plus estimates for VCE
Computing
ICT
Applied ICT
~10 
~60 
~40 
CAUSES??
SCHOOLS SURVEY – GLASGOW 2004
•Boring
•Offshoring – No jobs
•‘Geeky’ Image
•ICT in Schools
•Difficult
•Just a skill
•Don’t know exactly what it is
•Image problems
CURRENT ACTIVITY
- YdoIT –
a cooperative
careers event scheme
promoting computing to schools
in Northern Ireland
WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO
ACHIEVE ?
Targeting year 11-12 (GCSE) …
inform, excite and enthuse
challenge perceptions
provide guidance
… and their teachers
inform influential subject teachers
educate careers teachers
inform about mismatch between GCSE and A Level syllabi,
Computer Science at university and industry requirements.
EVENT FORMAT
Resources
• Resources per table
–
–
–
–
–
school teacher
student helper
employer helper
academic
poster material etc
• Momentum, Industry, Universities
– extensive administrative support
So far …
• November 2006
– 12 schools
– approx 200 pupils
– approx 12 employers
• November 2007
– 14 schools
– approx 150 pupils
– approx 10 employers - 20 'employer helpers'
Upcoming
Coleraine 17th October
Omagh 26th November
Jordanstown 28th January
QUB 27th February
Next Cycle from Sept 2009
Other Industrial Engagement
Curriculum development
Courses revalidation
Guest lectures
Scholarships
Prize sponsorships
Placement opportunities
Other Promotions
Careers Fairs
Open Days
Information Evenings (and mornings)
National Science week
Engineering Education Scheme
Games workshops, nights
Science workshops
Teachers events
STEM careers day
School visits
School Interview Events
Retention Issues
Lower than average progression rates (all STEM subjects)
Subject perceived to be difficult
Some solutions:

Smaller groups

Base Room

Individual attention

Attendance monitoring

Facilitation of first year experience
Thank You for your attention