[Year 12 IT Apps] A research question...

[Lewis, Jane L]

Hello,

A fellow lurker, but keen observer. I have taught IT in various forms since the days of typing and information processing. What I have noticed is that the growth of ‘sexy’ subjects like Psychology, Outdoor Ed, Health & Human Development, VET etc has taken away many who would traditionally choose this subject. The junior IT subjects offered in schools is usually an allotment filler (if offered anymore) and thus people who are uninterested  and unqualified have allowed the subject to decline into Kahootz worlds. The interest in wanting to learn how to use applications has waned and the general skill level (if my students are any indication) has declined so much that if a subject appears difficult (to the slacker crowd), it will not be selected. The boys who do choose it love devices and their games (playing them, of course) but have little to no inclination in learning the features and fundamentals of applications.

The problem is exacerbated by students coming in with only ipad experience, a significant candy-crush/phone/Facebook/YouTube/Instagram/Snapchat/overnight gaming session/’next new game’ addiction. Any subject would have difficulties attracting students with such high expectations of life! The IT of 1990-2000 was new and different and thus it was easier to attract students. Engaging students many years ago was much easier because high schools had computers – this differentiated us from Primary and home.

Jane


From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Tracey Hubert
Sent: Wednesday, 27 May 2015 11:10 PM
To: itapps at edulists.com.au; sofdev at edulists.com.au
Subject: [Year 12 IT Apps] A research question...

Hello,

I am a pre-service IT teacher and long-time lurker. I am working on an assessment investigating issues and debates around the implementation of the (proposed) Digital Technologies curriculum and the implications for schools and teachers. In the Donnely and Whiltsire review, they propose that IT remain a general capability and the standalone subject be scrapped or made optional. One of the arguments is there are not enough suitably qualified teachers and that it can be taught across the disciplines. They obviously miss the point that ITC != computational thinking.

I am curious to hear what practicing IT teachers think about this assertion. I went to a school tour on Friday and was surprised to learn they didn't offer IT as a subject at all, not even in VCE. No electives in Year 9. Nothing. I had a look at the overall statistics for VCE IT apps and VCE Software Development and saw enrolments are significantly down from their 2000–2001 peak. During the online PD for the new VCE subjects, Paula Christophersen mentioned they have increased this year by 10%, but it still seems quite low given the ubiquity of tech and the push for STEM subjects in general.

I was wondering if anyone has any insight as to why they think the numbers have dropped in they way they have. It can't only be explained by the scaling down, can it?

TIA
Tracey

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