ICT and computing A-Levels continue to slide
By Nicole Kobie,
A-Levels results are out, with record numbers of students gaining record scores – except in IT and computing courses.
While more students took A-Level courses and more won top grades across the board, the number of students taking computing and ICT courses has continued to fall, as have their grades, according to stats released by Joint Council Qualification (JCQ).
Across the UK, the number of students taking an A-Level in computing fell from 5,068 last year to 4,710 this year, with just 0.6 per cent of students taking the course.
The percentage of students winning an A grade fell from 16.1 per cent to 15.7 per cent.
As usual, 10 times as many students were male than female, with 4,256 male students taking the subject compared to just 454 women.
Some 15.8 per cent of male students scored a top grade, while 15.0 per cent of female students did – slipping from 17.9 per cent last year. Just under six per cent of students failed to even score an “E” grade – the lowest mark.
Those trends were partially echoed by the ICT courses. The number of students taking that course fell from 12,277 last year to 11,948 this year, with the percentage of top grades climbing slightly from 9.7 per cent to 10.2 per cent.
The male-female gap was less dramatic for ICT. There were 4,609 women on the courses, compared to 7,339 men. Female students outscored their male counterparts, with 13.3 per cent winning an A grade compared to 8.2 per cent.
According to a Microsoft report, the number of students taking computing courses at A-Level has fallen by 43 per cent between 2001 and 2006. One reason for the drop could be that students see IT subjects as "boring."
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That's becuase they aren't relevant
I took A-Levels in IT and Computing back in 2004 and didn't do particularly well yet without further training I'm now working as a Senior Web Developer for a large insurance company. The reason I didn't do well was because of a lack of motivation. The content of the course seemed dated, the teacher wasn't a regular internet user and we studied assembly language using textbooks published in the 70's which claimed that they would "Prepare us for the exciting world of the 1980's". Personally I believe that these courses require an overhaul so they teach basic web development skills and perhaps some C++ or Java.
By Ip_adambpb777440 on Thursday Aug 20
Lack of choice
I'm a teacher from a boys grammar school - I totally agree that the courses are boring and irrelevant - I finally managed to persuade the management to change the course and found something they were happy with - The course was brand new, it had great potential to be interesting and relevant, but unfortunately was a complete nightmare - poor resources and lack of organisation from the exam board meant it was a real mess - I just think A-Level type courses for ICT and Computing need to be totally overhauled and made into practical courses like what was the GNVQ course - lots of different topics, all practical and hands on work and modular assessment. Students need to be given greater choice in their studies in ICT, you can’t expect them to learn more about spreadsheets and databases, when generally this is totally irrelevant. More web development and programming of real world languages need to be part of the course as the previous comment states!
By adamj1979 on Thursday Aug 20
Arunn Ramadoss, Micro Focus
Today’s A-level results show another rise in the number of students achieving A grades. While success should always be applauded, the worrying trend – that fewer of these A grades have been achieved in traditional core subjects like maths, science and technology – looks to have been echoed yet again, in favour of ‘newer’ subjects like social and media studies. This is a ticking time bomb for UK plc. There are plenty of jobs in the UK for those with maths degrees, but these are increasingly being taken by those who have studied elsewhere because we’re simply failing to educate them here. One of the core aims of the Technology Manifesto: Making BrITain Great Again is to boost the number of students taking these core subjects. UK plc is saddled with debt, decline, depleted industry and deteriorating employment, yet we have a great pedigree of innovation and IP-rich industries. Training the right skills is not just crucial for the UK’s continued competiveness in its traditional industries like engineering and financial services (where our lead appears to fall every year), but also essential for the UK to become a global leader in newer, high-growth industries such as green technology and IT.
By Ip_arunnramadoss on Friday Aug 21
Computing at school
It is a major problem and ther e is a clear need to improve the IT curricula to one that will engage the students and spark their curiosity. The Computing at School group http://computingatschool.org.uk are trying to address this issue!
By SimonH on Wednesday Sep 2
British Computer Society Campaigning for improved IT training
The British Computer Society has been investigating the marked decrease in IT students for a number of years. Members who are also IT teachers have been recommending changes to the syllabus but IT has a major problem - it develops so fast! I started back in the early 70's when a computer occupied a large room and no one had heard of the skill. These days very young children have impressive skills to surf the internet and play games with hand held devices. No one realizes that behind the internet and games (and film's and TV) there is a very wide need for IT skills. Since these skills change almost weekly it is very hard to develop a syllabus to develop students to the skill level required in the working world. What is needed is a course which touches on the different areas using IT, the basic skills needed and identifies areas of research to follow through with a topic for further training.
By carras589 on Sunday Sep 6