The Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Information and Computer Sciences University of Ulster Gerry McAllister.

The Higher Education AcademySubject Centre for Information and Computer Sciences

University of Ulster

Gerry McAllisterGerry 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 subject-specific support for enhancing the student learning experience through our nation-wide network of 24 Subject Centre's.

Art, Design and MediaBioscience 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

Computin

g ICT VCE ICT

dbl

VCE ICT Tot

%Computi

ng

UK

%Computing

Jun-04 433 738 682 377

223

0 19% 18%

Jun-05 354 1097 1142 511

310

4 11% 16%

Jun-06 224 1114 1067 479

288

4 8% 16%

Jun-07 178 1187 1073 271

270

9 7% 16%

Source: JCQ, 2007 plus estimates for VCE

Computing ICT Applied ICT

Jun-07 ~10 ~60 ~40

No. centres/schools

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 FairsOpen Days Information Evenings (and mornings)National Science weekEngineering Education SchemeGames workshops, nightsScience workshopsTeachers eventsSTEM careers daySchool visitsSchool 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