Category: Main News

Any posts with this will be shown on the home page (latest) and new page

The Ada Scotland Festival, Oct, 2022: Addressing Gender Imbalance in Computing Science

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 Professional Learning Offer

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!

Digital Critical Friends – ScotlandIS and DYW Glasgow

What is this project?

In response to the Logan Review, ScotlandIS has worked with DYW Glasgow to develop an innovative and responsive project to provide every secondary school  in Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, and South Lanarkshire with a senior tech expert at their disposal – these are Digital Critical Friends.    

ScotlandIS aim to raise awareness of the skills and knowledge required for working in the tech sector amongst educators, learners and their families. The programme will help teachers shape a curriculum that matches the needs of industry and ensure learners are aware of the opportunities for work, training, and further study.

There were 35 schools in Glasgow involved in the pilot programme and they have also matched schools and partners in: North Lanarkshire, East Dunbartonshire, Scottish Borders and developing partnerships in: South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire. 

 

Why is this programme needed?

There is currently a shortage of learners qualifying in, studying, or having the opportunity to study Computing Science in some schools – especially girls and young women.

Only 27% of young women say they would consider a career in technology, and only 3% would say it is their first choice of career. (PwC UK, Women in Tech Report) 

 

The tech industry in Scotland promises creative, flexible, and highly rewarding career pathways, and it is estimated that around 80% of future jobs will require STEM skills, including Computing Science. 

13,000 digital tech job opportunities are created every year in Scotland, filling all of them would add £1bn to Scotland’s economy. (ScotlandIS)  

 

How does this work?

ScotlandIS will work with individual DYW regional teams over the next 12 months to provide a Digital Critical Friend in every secondary school in that region. 

Digital Critical Friends will inform teachers and pupils of what is happening in the sector: where the new technologies are, share emerging career opportunities and how to access them. They can also support teachers and management tap into increased funding for their department to encourage more young people to study the subject.    

Digital Critical Friends can connect flexibly, by video call, email or over coffee. They will act as a sounding board, a friend, a guide to the teachers. They’ll be willing to take part in catch-ups and could present to students about subjects that interest them, demonstrating how exciting the tech sector is. Teachers and Digital Critical Friends may also arrange a visit to each other’s workplace in order to understand the opportunities and challenges that they work with.  

This programme also complements others that are available, including Tech She Can and Scottish Digital Literacy Week (03/10/22).

 

Who is involved and supporting?

There are already a number of well-known organisations supporting the programme, including but not limited to:

  • Strathclyde University
  • RIIOT Digital
  • Leidos
  • BJSS
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Capgemini
  • Capito

YouTube player

If you are interested in becoming a Digital Critical Friend or would just like more information on the programme, please feel free to contact Nicola Taylor, Head of Operations and Skills at ScotlandIS: nicola.taylor@scotlandis.com 

Parents' Cyber First Aid Box

Parents’ Cyber First Aid Box

The Cyber First Aid Box is designed to support families recover from online harms.

Designed in partnership with Decode Cyber Solutions and Education Scotland’s Digital Skills team – it is a free resource available to everyone. 

Clicking on the image or link will open a new browser tab to the Cyber First Aid Box website. The site will ask a series of questions to help families determine the best response to a harmful online incident, including how to approach the subject with children & young people, possible solutions, and the first steps to recovering from it.

 

   go to cyber home

DigiLearnScot home

click this image to go to the cyber first aid box

Open the Cyber First Aid box

TLP digital enquiries 21 22

Teacher Leadership Programme 21/22 – Digital Enquiries

The Education Scotland Teacher Leadership Programme is designed to help participants to understand what teacher leadership means and looks like in practice. As a part of this process participants take an enquiring approach to developing an aspect of learning and teaching of their choosing as appropriate for the learners in their context. 

This page showcases the learning of teachers who enquired about the impact of developing digital in their school.

Use this link to signup for the 22/23 programme

 

 

In what way does First Lego League develop pupil’s skills that are less easily measured in benchmarks on the curriculum, but are essentially the most important for the future workplace?

How does the use of Seesaw activities support differentiated learning?

How does the use of Seesaw activities support differentiated learning?

How does the use of Seesaw activities support differentiated learning?

in what way do digital tools make the development of writing more accessible to pupils?

How does the use of Seesaw activities support differentiated learning?

How does the use of Seesaw activities support differentiated learning?

How does the use of Seesaw activities support differentiated learning?

CPD award in computing studies

The CPD Award in Computing Studies for Teachers

The CPD award in Computing Studies for teachers was created for primary teachers and secondary teachers for 1st and 2nd year pupils to give the confidence and skills to teach computing to pupils. More than 50% of our current cohort are primary school teachers. The course is open to any teacher with the relevant entry qualifications (degree and existing teaching qualification) who have an interest in computing.

 

There is normally a weekly lecture and support session that lasts for approx. an hour, or more if required, with further e mail support available. The sessions are certainly beneficial as they allow you to ask questions there and then. However, the course is designed to be taught when is convenient for all the students and all lectures and tutorial session are recorded for viewing at your leisure.

 

There is only one module delivered each semester with no time off required during the school day. The lectures are recorded for students unable to attend in person. All activity is carried out online the majority of which happens asynchronously. The modules have a notional 200 hours per module over the semester. It would depend on your previous experience on whether you needed all that time. If you were able to set aside a day at the weekend or a couple of evenings for study, you would not be far off what is required for achieving the award.

 

The Coding and Web technologies module will be delivered over 14 weeks and the semester will start Week beginning 29th August 2022 with an online induction with the course commencing week beginning 5th September 2022.

You can apply to join the course HERE or searching for the Computing  Studies for Teachers CPD award at https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/ under courses.

 

The price is £215 per module, and this can be paid on a module-by-module basis. As the modules are 20 credits each if you were to do two in an academic year you may be eligible for SAAS funding. It is suggested contacting SAAS directly if you are planning to start next semester and confirm whether you would be eligible for funding.

 

The course does not carry any GTCS accreditation.

 

Please get in touch if you have any further questions

Gordon.macpherson.ic@uhi.ac.uk

Additional Teaching Qualification in Computing Studies CPD Award

Additional Teaching Qualification in Computing Studies CPD Award

The course is designed to allow you to teach computing within secondary schools as it has the required numbers of credits stated by the GTCS. The programme is designed to be a roll on roll off programme as each of the units are separate although designed to encompass what is involved in the computing curriculum by the end of the course.

The module, Computer Systems will be delivered over 14 weeks and the semester will start Week beginning 29th August 2022 with an online induction, with the course commencing week beginning 5th September 2022.

The courses are open to any teachers with the relevant entry qualifications (degree and existing teaching qualification) who have an interest in computing or cyber security.

There is normally a weekly lecture and support session that lasts for approx. an hour, or more if required, with further e mail support available. The sessions are certainly beneficial as they allow you to ask questions there and then. However, the course is designed to be taught when is convenient for all the students and all lectures and tutorial session are recorded for viewing at your leisure.

 

There is only one module delivered each semester with no time off required during the school day. The lectures are recorded for students unable to attend in person. All activity is carried out online the majority of which happens asynchronously. The modules have a notional 200 hours per module over the semester. It would depend on your previous experience on whether you needed all that time. If you were able to set aside a day at the weekend or a couple of evenings for study, you would not be far off what is required for achieving the award.

 

To gain accreditation with the GTCS you need to teach a certain number of hours in computing, and you would need to discuss that with your local head teacher, as we only provide the academic requirement. This equates to 0.42 teaching or 100 teaching days.

 

The price is £215 per module, and this can be paid on a module-by-module basis. As the modules are 20 credits each if you were to do two in an academic year you may be eligible for SAAS funding. It is suggested contacting SAAS directly if you are planning to start next semester and confirm whether you would be eligible for funding.

 

You can apply through the university web site located HERE or searching for the Additional Teaching Qualification in Computing Studies CPD award at https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/ under courses.

 

Please get in touch if you have any further questions

 

Gordon.macpherson.ic@uhi.ac.uk

Introduction to Cyber Security for Teachers

Introduction to Cyber Security for Teachers – Funded places available!

The CPD award Introduction to Cyber Security, jointly funded by Education Scotland, was created for ALL primary and secondary teachers and designed to give background knowledge and understanding related to teaching basic cybersecurity and configuring an environment suitable for cybersecurity education.

The module allows you to get a basic practical understanding of cybersecurity and cyber resilience and the relationship between these two areas of security. This will enable you to have the awareness and confidence to support pupils and create practical activities and content. The module content is levelled at SCQF 7 however is appropriate for teachers delivering to BOTH primary and secondary pupils.

The module will be delivered over 14 weeks and the semester will start Week beginning 29th August 2022 with an online induction with the course commencing week beginning 5th September 2022.

With the support of Education Scotland, we have funding for teachers to enrol on the module. The usual cost of the module would be £215. It is recommended you apply as soon as possible as the funding will be allocated on date of application.

The courses are open to any teacher with the relevant entry qualifications (degree and existing teaching qualification) who have an interest in computing or cyber security.

 

There is normally a weekly lecture and support session that lasts for approx. an hour, or more if required, with further e mail support available. The sessions are certainly beneficial as they allow you to ask questions there and then. However, the course is designed to be taught when is convenient for all the students and all lectures and tutorial session are recorded for viewing at your leisure.

No time off will be required during the school day. The lectures are recorded for students unable to attend in person. All activity is carried out online the majority of which happens asynchronously. The modules have a notional 200 hours per module over the semester. It would depend on your previous experience on whether you needed all that time. If you were able to set aside a day at the weekend or a couple of evenings for study, you would not be far off what is required for achieving the award.

 

You can apply for the course with this link:
https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/courses/cpd-award-introduction-to-cyber-security/

Please get in touch if you have any further questions:

Gordon.macpherson.ic@uhi.ac.uk