Project to boost teachers' computer confidence helps Scottish kids
More than 45,800 primary school pupils across Scotland have benefited from a pioneering education programme to boost youngsters’ computing skills.
The Barefoot Computing project, which has now reached more than one million pupils UK-wide, helps primary school teachers get to grips with computing so that they can better help their pupils.
Led by BT and the British Computing Society, Barefoot offers free teaching-resources and volunteer-led training workshops, designed to help primary school teachers get confident when teaching computer science and computing skills.
It is making a big impact across the UK with over 130,000 resources downloaded and more than 35,000 teachers using those resources.
The 45,800 Scottish school children reached by the programme to date go to schools in 28 local authority areas from Shetland to Scottish Borders, and include around 8,900 in Glasgow; 6,500 in Fife; 7,300 in Aberdeenshire; 1,900 in the Highlands and 2,500 in Dundee.
Brendan Dick, director of BT Scotland, said: “Computing is a vital skill for Scotland’s future. For the individual, it opens the door to a world of possibilities. Businesses and organisations of all types and sizes rely on this technology, whilst households use it for online learning, research and entertainment.
“Across Scotland, BT volunteers are running workshops at schools the length and breadth of the country, giving teachers the confidence to teach computing to young people. Those skills will undoubtedly be used to successfully navigate a whole host of real-world challenges as they go through life.”
Barefoot was created in response to concerns that many young people today are passive consumers rather than active creators of technology – and risk being left behind.
Findings from research company Ipsos MORI and BT showed how important it is for the UK to step up its efforts on primary school tech literacy. Seventy eight per cent of primary school teachers think tech literacy is as important as reading and writing. Seventy five per cent strongly agreed it’s their job to prepare pupils for a digital world, but only 25 per cent strongly agreed they felt able to do that. Barefoot is designed to address that need.
Stuart Clyde, head teacher of The Community School of Auchterarder, which hosted the launch of the Barefoot programme in Scotland last September, said: “We were delighted to be chosen as the launch venue for Barefoot in Scotland. From the moment the children laid hands on the Beebots they were hooked. Teachers, too, felt their confidence in delivering computer science increasing very quickly.
“As we progress with the Barefoot Programme and resources, we are looking forward to raising the profile of STEM subjects throughout the school and empowering our young people by gaining the vital skills they need to take their place as 21st Century learners.”
Liz Williams, BT’s director of tech literacy, said: “BT is delighted Barefoot has reached this major milestone, because we know that the next generation’s life chances will be improved by being able to thrive in the digital world.”
Barefoot is part of BT’s Tech Literacy ambition and forms part of the long-term commitment by BT, unveiled in 2015, to help build a culture of tech literacy for the nation, reaching five million young people by 2020.
About the Barefoot Computing Project
The Barefoot Computing Project was created in 2014 by a coalition of partners, including the Department for Education, the British Computer Society, BT and Raspberry Pi. It gives primary school teachers free resources and training workshops on using the key concepts that underpin tech literacy. To find out more, access the resources or book a workshop visit www.barefootcas.org.uk
About tech literacy
Young people today grow up surrounded by tech. But too few know how it actually works, or the role it plays in their lives. They are often passive consumers rather than active creators. That matters in a digital world where personal and professional prospects are shaped by technology. So we need to build a culture of tech literacy starting with the next generation, setting young people up with the understanding and abilities needed to shape their futures. Find out more at www.techliteracy.co.uk
About BT
BT’s purpose is to use the power of communications to make a better world. It is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in 180 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband, TV and internet products and services; and converged fixed-mobile products and services. BT consists of six customer-facing lines of business: Global Services, Business and Public Sector, Consumer, EE, Wholesale and Ventures, and Openreach.
For the year ended 31 March 20161, BT Group’s reported revenue was £19,012m with reported profit before taxation of £2,907m.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.
1The results for the period have been revised to reflect the outcome of the investigation into our Italian business. Detail of which is set out in our third quarter results announcement published on 27 January 2017. This financial information is unaudited.
For more information, visit www.btplc.com
