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I'm not sure why this was posted here. Based on the response, you're knocking on the wrong door? However, the role of this Department is limited to setting the

by Maro 15y ago

I'm not sure why this was posted here. Based on the response, you're knocking on the wrong door? However, the role of this Department is limited to setting the policy framework of the National Curriculum of what is taught in terms of content, attainment targets and how performance is assessed and reported. Therefore, we do not endorse, fund or promote specific resources or activities for use in schools.

jcromartie 15y ago
Because teaching programming is a broad policy decision. It's exactly the sort of thing the particular department would be in charge of. If JGC had merely been suggesting a certain programming language or teaching software, then the response would have been appropriate. As it is, it sounds like they didn't understand what JGC wrote. "Be it with Raspberry Pi computers in schools, or with some other hardware, we need to get back on top." Rasberry Pi was just a suggestion. The broader idea of "teaching programming" was ignored.
- Maro 15y ago
  You are right, his email was broader and not just specific to Raspberry Pi. Although I'm still not sure what the OP expected and why this was posted here.
  - DanBC 15y ago
    People here will know more than most the strong history of computing that Britain has. Significant contributions to many areas of computing have come from Britain. Just computer games in the UK is a huge industry. The OP thought that there is a lack of programming experienced by young people. Other people agree; see Raspberry Pi project for an example. IT in English schools is pretty poor, there's some simplistic "How to use a word processor, how to use a spreadsheet" but nothing in depth. Skills used in programming overlap many other areas of learning. Gather information; reduce the problem; attack each part; plan it out; step it through; iterate. The UK has some scarily poor implementations of big IT projects. Hugely late, over budget, broken - and those are the ones that make it to completion. (Although I welcome any information about the good systems.) We as a nation desperately need people who can program. Not just regular web / app / desktop programming, but also low quantity high quality machine shop style CNC / Pick and Place / etc manufacturing. The fact that the department gave a useless reply is no surprise, but is disappointing.
    - Maro 15y ago
      "The fact that the department gave a useless reply is no surprise." That's exactly why I asked why it was posted here. This just isn't noteworthy. It seems to me it's being upvoted because of the OP.
ErrantX 15y ago
They seem to have misread his letter as proposing that the DOE support/fund/promote Raspberry Pi - I think. The department does set the curriculum; which means they legislate on what subjects should be taught, what topics within that subject should be taught etc. John's argument is that programming should be added to the earlier curriculum - they seem to have missed that point, but it is not something that a local authority could implement even if contacted.

by Maro 15y ago

jcromartie 15y ago

Because teaching programming is a broad policy decision. It's exactly the sort of thing the particular department would be in charge of. If JGC had merely been suggesting a certain programming language or teaching software, then the response would have been appropriate. As it is, it sounds like they didn't understand what JGC wrote. "Be it with Raspberry Pi computers in schools, or with some other hardware, we need to get back on top." Rasberry Pi was just a suggestion. The broader idea of "teaching programming" was ignored.

Maro 15y ago
You are right, his email was broader and not just specific to Raspberry Pi. Although I'm still not sure what the OP expected and why this was posted here.
- DanBC 15y ago
  People here will know more than most the strong history of computing that Britain has. Significant contributions to many areas of computing have come from Britain. Just computer games in the UK is a huge industry. The OP thought that there is a lack of programming experienced by young people. Other people agree; see Raspberry Pi project for an example. IT in English schools is pretty poor, there's some simplistic "How to use a word processor, how to use a spreadsheet" but nothing in depth. Skills used in programming overlap many other areas of learning. Gather information; reduce the problem; attack each part; plan it out; step it through; iterate. The UK has some scarily poor implementations of big IT projects. Hugely late, over budget, broken - and those are the ones that make it to completion. (Although I welcome any information about the good systems.) We as a nation desperately need people who can program. Not just regular web / app / desktop programming, but also low quantity high quality machine shop style CNC / Pick and Place / etc manufacturing. The fact that the department gave a useless reply is no surprise, but is disappointing.
  - Maro 15y ago
    "The fact that the department gave a useless reply is no surprise." That's exactly why I asked why it was posted here. This just isn't noteworthy. It seems to me it's being upvoted because of the OP.

ErrantX 15y ago

They seem to have misread his letter as proposing that the DOE support/fund/promote Raspberry Pi - I think. The department does set the curriculum; which means they legislate on what subjects should be taught, what topics within that subject should be taught etc. John's argument is that programming should be added to the earlier curriculum - they seem to have missed that point, but it is not something that a local authority could implement even if contacted.