Computing Science: What do pupils think

1
Computing ScienceWhat do pupils think?

• Alison Mitchell
• University of Strathclyde
• a.mitchell_at_strath.ac.uk
• With students
• David Barr
• Stewart Melvin
• thanks to Chris Mitchell Helen Purchase
• University of Glasgow
• A project sponsored by LTSN-ICS
• August to October 2004

2
Computing ScienceWhat do pupils think?

• What do you think they think about it?
• Write down 3 things.

3
To beginThe numbers in HE are decreasing

• But
• Teachers and pupils were surprised because
• Computing numbers in school are buoyant.
• 64 think numbers are the same or higher

4
Numbers taking Highers in schools HE admissions

• Scottish schools UK-HE
• Comp Stud Info Sys (UCAS)
• 2401 1207
• 4604 2512
• 4480 2896 - 9
• 4753 2852 - 15
• - 19 (52,777)

5
UCAS UK admissions 2004

• Computing -19.0 (52,777)
• EEE - 7.7 (26,349)
• Mathematics 16.3 (25,543)
• Chemistry 7.1 (16,768)
• Mech Eng 12.5 (24,038)
• Civil Eng 25.2 (16,408)
• Physics - 9.9 (15,277)
• Zoology 7.4 ( 5,899)
• Software Eng -23.0 ( 5,732)
• Statistics 8.8 ( 1,084)
• AI -15.9 ( 545)

6
The sample

• Natural diverse mixture of pupils
• Not just computing students
• Surveyed S1 to S6 pupils
• Interviews, focus groups, PRS questionnaires
• Also interviewed teachers
• Big (about 2000 pupils)
• Specific requests for senior group
• Higher Maths
• Intending to go to HE
• Focus groups
• Gender balance
• Computing and non computing pupils

7
Why have numbers in HE decreased? Most popular
reasons from senior focus groups

• ICT in schools, so no need to take computing
  further
• Boring
• Dont know what it involves
• Too difficult/ hard
• Other options more enjoyable
• Nature of jobs (but not job shortage)
• Teacher/ classes/equipment (very few)

8
Fewer are taking CS why do you think this is?
People would rather use them than invent them
9
Comments about Jobs

• People prefer accountancy or medicine, better
  paid
• People dont like pay conditions
• People think its too hard to get into
• Very common degree so few jobs available
• IT skills are more common, so not much in demand
• Too many people want to do it
• Too many people not enough jobs
• Dot com bubble
• And more positively, but just 1 pupil.
• Useful in all career areas

10
Is there an image problem?

• Lost its glamorous image
• Not special any more
• Dont know exactly what it is
• Programming too difficult
• People dont like sitting in front of a computer

11
Comparison of CS with Maths.Edinburgh group

• Maths is more difficult
• Equally enjoyable
• More knowledgeable about Maths as a subject to
  study
• CS job prospects are better
• More aware of graduate jobs in Maths

12
Computing Science what do pupils think?

• Does the experience of ICT in schools
• put pupils off?
• 55 say yes it has put me off
• And also
• 68 would only take CS if they wanted a career in
  computing
• 54 think its more of a skill than a career

13
The ICT effect

• Use of IT now intuitive, no need for CS knowledge
• Its a modern everyday technology, no need for
  study
• People not interested in learning how computers
  work
• Already know the basics
• Not useful if you dont want a career in CS
• More people try to teach themselves to use the
  computer
• Not essential to know about the insides of a
  computer
• Seen as too common a subject
• People would rather use things than invent them
• Computing scientists are running out of ideas
• Popularity of internet

14
Computing Science what do pupils think?

• What do pupils know about Computing Science ?
• 60 senior pupils have heard of it but dont know
  what it is
• 40 junior pupils have never heard of it most
  of the rest dont know what it is

15
What do you think Computing Science might be
about?Senior group
16
What do you think Computing Science might be
about?Junior group
17
What is Computing Science most like?Senior group
18
What is Computing Science most like?Junior group
19
Which best describes your idea of Computing
Science?Senior group
20
Which best describes your idea of Computing
Science?Junior group
21
Positive aspects of CSEdinburgh group

• Jobs
• Good job prospects
• Good pay
• Valuable skills for job
• Society
• Keep up with changes in society
• Useful in all areas
• Personal (ICT skills)
• Email, internet,
• Time saving
• Looks better
• Useful to be good at computers
• Subject
• Interesting
• Problem based
• How to use computer

22
Negative aspects of CSEdinburgh group

• Personal experience
• Boring
• Frustrating
• Confusing
• Hardware faults
• Internet failure
• Subject
• Difficult/ hard/ hard to keep up with
• Social
• Nerdy/ negative image
• Antisocial
• School
• Out of date text books
• Poor equipment
• fluffy at standard grade

23
Skills of Computing ScienceEdinburgh Focus
groups

• Patience/ perseverance
• Creative
• Good memory
• Problem solving skills
• Programming skills
• Maths Physics knowledge
• Work hard
• Like computers
• Typing
• 53 of seniors think its a difficult subject
• 48 would not want to study it at HE

24
What is your Careers library like for CS
information?

• 65 of seniors think there is plenty information
  around
• But of the focus groups
• 32 had never looked in Library
• Another 60 had never looked at CS
• The remainder said
• Careers libraries up to date
• Useful for careers in CS
• Less useful for CS courses

25
Who or what influences choices?Edinburgh focus
groups

• Top 10
• Parents
• Teachers
• Guidance teachers
• School option choice booklets
• Friends (especially older ones)
• My own choice
• Family
• Careers advisers (very few)
• University info (hardly anyone)
• Internet (hardly anyone)

26
What information would you like about CS?

• Careers
• What it involves as a job
• What variety of careers use it
• Job prospects
• General
• What is it?
• What is it used for?
• Relevance
• What skills?
• Not (just) for guys!
• How to manual
• Courses
• What is involved?
• Why should I study it?

27
From interviews with teachers

• School Computing and CS in HE are not the same
• School computing is shaped by
• Preferences of individual Principal Teachers
• Whether CS or IS taught
• Whether pupils take only ICT
• Threats to Computing in schools
• Reduction in no of CS teachers their required
  CS qualifications
• Limited CPD in rapidly changing subject
• Old equipment, slow technologies
• Conflicting curriculum choices
• New school faculty structure
• Will CS be in business admin, technology or
  science?
• Growth in ICT across the curriculum
• ICT until S6 (PC passport)

28
Conclusions

• Shortage of jobs is not especially widely known
  is not the primary cause of declining numbers
• Jobs in computing are not well understood or well
  perceived
• CS applications to HE may suffer from perceived
  success of ICT in developing personal computing
  skills in schools
• Good pupils may see no need to take CS
• Senior pupils are
• aware CS is not ICT
• have some idea of skills
• are not sure what it is

29
Conclusions

• The subject has lost its novelty
• Pupils think others think CS suffers from geeky
  image (but not themselves)
• CS is thought of as too hard
• Pupils do not really know what it is
• What they do know makes them think its boring
• They do have an appreciation of the skills
  involved
• Parents, teachers and guidance teachers are key
  influencers
• Information in libraries appears satisfactory but
  pupils do not necessarily read it.

30
Computing Science What do you think about what
pupils think?

• What actions could you take?
• Theres a recruitment strategy
• waiting to happen.

31
The recruitment processthe pasthigh
application numbers
Junior pupils
Senior pupils Prospects
Applicants
students
32
The recruitment process the futurelow
application numbers
Junior pupils
Senior pupils Prospects
Applicants
students
33
Computing Science What do pupils think?

• Thank you for listening
• Alison Mitchell
• University of Strathclyde
• a.mitchell_at_strath.ac.uk