It’s well known that Computing Science has much to do in way of gender balance. According to a report published by the BCS (2020), just 12% of pupils taking National 5 Computing Science in Scotland in 2020 were female. This figure falls to 7% for female pupils taking Computing Science at Higher, and just 2% at Advanced Higher.

Of course, these figures are reflected in uptake of Computing Science at university and college, and in Scotland’s tech workforce. But we lose potential female talent long before choices are being made about university courses and career paths. From primary school – if not even earlier – girls are given the impression that computers are ‘not for them’.

For example, one of our current female Graduate Apprentices at the University of Glasgow was told that she should study administration, rather than computing. Why? Because she was a girl. Now, years later, she’s changed careers and is excelling on our Software Engineering programme.

Closer to home, when my own daughter was in Primary Two, she was told (by a male pupil) that she couldn’t choose Pokémon as her ‘show and tell’ topic. Why? Because computer games were for boys.

These examples hopefully illustrate what we’re up against, and why the Ada Scotland Festival exists: to challenge stereotypes and encourage more women and girls to get involved in Computing Science.

The Ada Scotland Festival brings together partners involved in addressing gender imbalance in Computing Science and tech across Scotland. Our partners include employers, universities, and schools, delivering a range of talks, competitions, and activities in October each year.

The Festival launched in October 2020, featuring 32 partners, 16 live events, and dozens of other activities. In 2021, we featured 19 live events and many new partners, and the 2022 Festival – due to kick off at the new Barclays campus in Glasgow on 12 October – is shaping up to be bigger still.

This year, we’re delighted to be able to offer some in-person events for the first time, in addition to online sessions. All of our events will be posted at https://ada.scot/2022.  If your school would like to get involved, please drop us a line at hello@ada.scot – we’d love to hear from you.

In the meantime, you can find details of many of last year’s events and activities on the ada.scot website. There are also video recordings of many of our previous events. And, if you’d like to stay in touch please register for our newsletter.

By working together, we can ensure the opportunities offered by Computing Science are available to all – join us!

 Dr Matthew Barr is Director of the Ada Scotland Festival – https://ada.scot/

CALL Scotland help children and young people across Scotland to overcome disability and barriers to learning using Assistive Technology. Their small team of teachers, Speech and Language Therapists, Assistive Technologists and support staff are based at the University of Edinburgh.  We have Service Level Agreements with 18 out of 32 Local Authorities and travel all over Scotland carrying out individual pupil assessments and providing associated training.

Have a look at their website to see all the services they offer which includes a wide range of Professional Learning open to everyone.

• Free online learning modules: The modules are at aimed at teachers, learning support staff, parents and/or anyone who would like to learn more about the potential of technology to support learners with ASN.  We have 4 new ones on offer:
  • • Technology to support dyslexia
    • Using the iPad to support literacy
    • Technology to support visual impairment
    • Creating Accessible documents

 

• Online 90 minute courses: These are delivered through Microsoft Teams on a wide range of topics all based round the use of Assistive Technology to support children and young people with Additional Support Needs.  Cost: £40 each course
• 20 minute webinars: Free live webinars delivered every second Wednesday with the opportunity to ask your questions at the end.  Webinars can also be viewed at a later date from our Archives section.

We also have our 2 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) free online modules on offer:

• • • Introduction to AAC
    • AAC in Education (Supporting learners with Complex Communication Support Needs)
• Technology to support dyslexia in education: This 5 week online course starting on October 25, 2022 will focus on and explore a range of technologies, resources, and strategies to support learners with literacy difficulties arising from dyslexia. This course is a technology-based course for educators and other professionals working within the Scottish Education sector who want to learn how assistive technology can support learners with dysleixia to overcome barriers to learning.   Cost:  £200

 

• Technology for ASN in Education: This innovative and exciting 10-week online course is aimed at educators who would like to increase their knowledge on how technology can expand educational opportunities for learners with Additional Support Needs (ASN), i.e., arising from conditions such as dyslexia, sensory impairment, severe and complex learning needs, autism, and communication difficulties.  The focus of the course will highlight and explore a range of assistive technologies and resources for pupils who require additional support within an educational context to address barriers to learning. Cost: £450

Schools can book a trainer from CALL Scotland to come out to their school to deliver an in-person, hands on bespoke training session.  Please contact Shirley.lawson@ed.ac.uk to discuss your training requirements or ask any questions.  Our diary does fill up quickly especially on In-Service days so get in quickly with date requests!