This seminar will consider the future of computing education and teaching in England.
It follows the introduction of the new computing curriculum in September 2014, and comes after government's announcement to provide £3.6m worth of funding to place technology experts, from firms such as O2 and Google, into schools. Delegates will consider the impact of the Computing at School project, which aims to create a network of 400 'master teachers' by the end of 2015, and what further steps might be taken to encourage graduates into computing teaching.
Further sessions assess the new Computing Science GCSE, which includes coding and programming, and is set to be introduced from September 2016. Those in attendance will also be invited to discuss measures to encourage more young people into the digital industries, including the anticipated launch of the National College for Digital Skills later this year.
We are delighted that Dr Bill Mitchell, Director of Education, BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT; Debbie Forster, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Apps for Good and Oliver Quinlan, Programme Manager, Digital Education, NESTA have agreed to deliver keynote addresses at this seminar.
At this early stage Miles Berry, Principal Lecturer, Subject Leader - Computing Education, School of Education, University of Roehampton; Katie O'Donovan, Public Policy and Government Relations Manager, Google; Clare Fenwick, Senior Lecturer in Education: Primary Computing, Oxford Brookes University; Lauren Hyams, Head of Code Club Pro, Code Club; Simon Humphreys, National Coordinator, Computing At School; Rob Leeman, Computer Science and ICT Subject Specialist, OCR and Dave Smith, Senior Vice-Chair, Naace have also agreed to speak.
More details: www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk
About Westminster eForum
The Westminster eForum aims to provide the premier environment for policymakers in Parliament, Whitehall and regulatory agencies to engage with key stakeholders in timely discussion on public policy relating to technology. These include representatives of technology businesses, their business and domestic customers, and their advisors; interest groups and the voluntary sector; and academics and commentators, along with members of the reporting press.