Magpie Authors

After completing a 4-Year Specialist teaching degree at Manchester University focusing on SEN and what was ICT at the time, I moved to London to begin my teaching Career. Teaching in 2 different Local Authorities over the 8 years I taught. For the past 3 years, I have been focusing on developing the teaching and preparation materials for the new computing curriculum within Southwark, looking at training opportunities for schools, and ensuring they were ready for the impending changes to the

curriculum in September 2014.

As of January 2015, I began working for DigitalMe as an Education Project Manager, still working with schools and Local Authorities, on the computing curriculum, but also with the development of a new ‘Digital Currency’ – Open Badges. These help to recognise the skills and talents of young people in and out of the ‘formal’ education setting. One key program of interest, was Safe Social Networking; and e-safety SoW supported by O2 to scaffold young peoples understanding of the Social Web – working with over 5000 schools globally and reaching over 33,000 young people. Alongside this, I have been working closely with Naace and TheETA to develop CPD badges to support both teachers with their understanding and application of the Computing Curriculum, and more recently on a project developed to accredit technicians and network managers for the work they carry out in schools.

For me there are a vast number of exciting opportunities within Computing, one of which I think is the need to align to more global frameworks and competencies that are perhaps not recognised in our current curriculum. I also feel that we still need to think about and develop what the Computing Curriculum actually is - we have a good underpinning idea of this, but there are a plethora of areas we can further enhance - STE(A)M learning, Digital and Tech Sector skills and also looking at more than just technical expertise for job readiness within the computing sector post curriculum learning.

I feel however there are a number of challenges we face, two of which strike me a pivotal in the effective teaching and learning that happens within schools - both Unplugged learning and the idea of teaching computational thinking are too often passed by or overlooked by teachers - an area where we really could work harder at supporting both in delivery and within resources. Another key area I'd like to see the sector stand up to is that of the overshadowing of IT and DL within the curriculum. Although we're getting better, we're still )in my opinion) too focused on the CS strand.

I feel that with a passion of not just Computing but Educational Technology and Web Literacy I can provide insight and support to help invigorate educators to explore deeper into the curriculum. Through my recent work with Mozilla on helping to shape the web, and develop opportunities for young people and adults alike to learn the skills necessary to know, develop and share these skills we have a great opportunity to up-skill learners in more than just the 'usual' suspect areas.