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List:       suse-linux-uk-schools
Subject:    Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] The changing face of ICT
From:       Ian <ian.lynch2 () ntlworld ! com>
Date:       2002-02-06 8:14:22
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On Tuesday 05 February 2002 22:33, Bruce Miller wrote:
> Yes what do you think of the new specialist school category for maths and
> computing? Especially when they say programming doesn't really matter ;-)
>
> ______________________
>
> This is the problem all round. Arts are separate to computing and so is
> Technology. The kind of stuff that I have outlined above just doesn't seem
> to fit anywhere. But it is really essential.

Specialist arts colleges are encouraged to use ICT as part of their plans.eg 
a media arts specialist school could use some of the additional money to set 
up a course in special effects drawing on video, audio and similar 
technologies combined with some programming. Getting a teacher with these 
skills could be a problem but again the recurrent grant is there for 
training. Schools tend not to think of things like this which is why they 
askme to help them write their bids.

> Ian also wrote:
>
> ICT is not up for grabs, its politically symbolic and has been
> hi-jacked by the likes of BECTa who get funded to the tune of about £12m a
> year to further their agenda under the guise of being official advisors to
> the DfEE. The only real way to counter this is to set fires burning at
> grass roots level that will eventually roast the quangos and LEA
> bureaucracy into action.
>
> ________________
>
> Hopefully we can hammer on the right doors; especially if we have a united
> voice. - Internet Britain, Broadband Britain etc etc. This won't happen if
> we can't teach the subject because trained twenty years ago pen pushers at
> whitehall, mowlem hall or where ever can't see what needs doing.

We need critical mass which is why in earlier threads I have advocated 
getting and documenting sites using Linux, especially at the desktop because 
its more visible. If we can get 30 or 40 outspoken head teachers actully 
using it in their schools and saving money we can push some of the buttons on 
the grounds of best value, social inclusion, the environment or any other 
political flavours of the month. We need to gather the evidence of actual use 
first. Then the likes of BECTa will just follow because there are no leaders 
in BECTa. They don't see providing leadership as a role, they are just an 
administrative wing of the DfES. Also the DfES tend to want innovation 
without risk which is of course nonsense! So we do it ourselves to start 
with. If the programmers can do it with the technology, we can do it with the 
education marketing.

Regards,

-- 
IanL



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