A consideration of the implications for teachers regarding the transition from ICT to Computer Science in the Welsh medium secondary school context

View/ open
Author
Hinchliffe, Cari
Date
2016-04Type
Dissertation
Publisher
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
“The computing sector will have 1.5 million job openings over the next 10 years’ (Ramasubbu, 2015). This modern world is increasingly becoming dependable on the use of computers in most businesses, professions and also in education. Computer programming has become a part of every aspect of our lives, therefore computer scientists are essential in this digital age.
Firstly, this research paper is an attempt to investigate the hopes and fears of teachers in secondary schools across Wales regarding the transition from ICT to Computer Science. The significance of this study is the opportunity to address the implications for teachers and to explore ways to overcome any concerns raised and also to address the importance of computer science. In relation to the research design, this research involves secondary and primary research. It is important to highlight, there is secondary research in the literature review to support the data gathered from the primary research. The primary research involved conducting interviews to collect qualitative data. Furthermore, four secondary ICT teachers and also a Professor of Computer Science and Public Police, Prof Tom Crick have been interviewed to gather their views.
Importantly, this research has adopted a social constructionist approach within a relativist ontology. Due to the nature of this research, this study had adopted an inductive research approach. The inductive method compliments the relativist philosophy as they both put forward the view that research findings do not have to be generalised (Dudovskiy, 2016).
To summarise, the research aim and objectives were met and the research question has been addressed. As the interviews involved un-probability sampling, the sample included the relevant people to answer the question. The main findings were the teachers are happy about the transition, although, they have concerns about their lack of knowledge and teachers training.
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, subject and abstract.
-
To what extent is programming impacting on teacher’s behavioural attitude in primary schools?
Grzymala, Adrian Tomasz (Cardiff Metropolitan University, 2016-04)“Computers are now part of everyday life” (Berry, 2013). Computer Science is increasingly becoming a part of our lives that has a great impact on most businesses and also education. Computer programming outlines the ... -
An Evaluation of the Use of Computers within Primary School
EL-Giamel, Kyrie Azedean (Cardiff Metropolitan University, 2014-05)This purpose of this research was to gather and analyse evidence concerning the use of computers within primary school education. The study analyses the benefits and the negatives of using computers within such organisations. ... -
Bringing computer science back into schools: lessons from the UK
Brown, Neil C. C.; Kölling, Michael; Crick, Tom; Peyton Jones, Simon; Humphreys, Simon; Sentance, Sue (ACM, 2013-03)Computer science in UK schools is a subject in decline: the ratio of Computing to Maths A-Level students (i.e. ages 16-18) has fallen from 1:2 in 2003 to 1:20 in 2011 and in 2012. In 2011 and again in 2012, the ratio for ...