The Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Information and Computer Sciences University of Ulster Gerry McAllister

OUR WORK The Academy's role is to be a nationwide focus for enhancing teaching, learning and students' experiences in higher education. We work with institutions, discipline groups and individual staff within the four countries of the UK. Informing Policy Supporting Institutions Research and Evaluation Supporting Learning Development and Recognition Individual Recognition National Teaching Fellowship New Academic Staff Part-time Teachers

OUR WORK The Academy provides subject- specific support for enhancing the student learning experience through our nation-wide network of 24 Subject Centre's. Art, Design and Media Bioscience Built Environment (CEBE) Business, Management, Accountancy and Finance (BMAF) Economics Education (ESCALATE) Engineering English Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) HEALTH Network Group Health Sciences and Practice History, Classics and Archaeology Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism (HLST) Information and Computer Sciences Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies (LLAS) Law (UK Centre for Legal Education - UKCLE) Materials (UK Centre for Materials Education) Maths, Stats & OR Network (MSOR) Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine (MEDEV) PALATINE - Dance, Drama and Music Philosophical and Religious Studies Physical Sciences Psychology Sociology, Anthropology and Politics (C-SAP) Social Policy and Social Work (SWAP)

SUMMARY Declining student numbers studying computing in HE –-25% since 2004 Declining numbers studying ‘A’ level computing –-46.8% since 2003 Graduands in computing will decline until at least 2010 UCAS computing applications down 48.2% since 2001 All subject HE graduands and applications increasing –+5.1% since 2003 Additional requirement of 20,000 Computing graduates predicted pa until 2016 to meet IT labour market predictions Source: Technology Counts: IT and Telecoms insights 2008 (e-skills UK)

UCAS UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS & ACCEPTANCES FOR COMPUTING COURSES (1996 – 2007) SOURCE

University Graduands All Subjects

University Graduands Computing

‘A’ LEVEL STUDENTS Source: Technology Counts: IT and Telecoms insights 2008 (e-skills UK)

Demand v Supply

A-Level: ICT, Applied (VCE) ICT and Computing in NI No. Candidates ComputingICTVCE ICT dbl VCE ICTTot%Computing UK %Computing Jun %18% Jun %16% Jun %16% Jun %16% Source: JCQ, 2007 plus estimates for VCE ComputingICTApplied ICT Jun-07~10  ~60  ~40  No. centres/schools

CAUSES?? SCHOOLS SURVEY – GLASGOW 2004 Boring Offshoring – No jobs ‘Geeky’ Image ICT in Schools Difficult Just a skill Don’t know exactly what it is Image problems

CURRENT ACTIVITY -YdoIT – a cooperative careers event scheme promoting computing to schools in Northern Ireland

WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACHIEVE ? Targeting year (GCSE) … inform, excite and enthuse challenge perceptions provide guidance … and their teachers inform influential subject teachers educate careers teachers inform about mismatch between GCSE and A Level syllabi, Computer Science at university and industry requirements.

EVENT FORMAT

Resources Resources per table –school teacher –student helper –employer helper –academic –poster material etc Momentum, Industry, Universities –extensive administrative support

So far … November 2006 –12 schools –approx 200 pupils –approx 12 employers November 2007 –14 schools –approx 150 pupils –approx 10 employers - 20 'employer helpers'

Upcoming  Coleraine 17 th October  Omagh 26 th November  Jordanstown 28 th January  QUB 27 th February Next Cycle from Sept 2009

Other Industrial Engagement  Curriculum development  Courses revalidation  Guest lectures  Scholarships  Prize sponsorships  Placement opportunities

Other Promotions  Careers Fairs  Open Days  Information Evenings (and mornings)  National Science week  Engineering Education Scheme  Games workshops, nights  Science workshops  Teachers events  STEM careers day  School visits  School Interview Events

Retention Issues Lower than average progression rates (all STEM subjects) Subject perceived to be difficult Some solutions:  Smaller groups  Base Room  Individual attention  Attendance monitoring  Facilitation of first year experience

Thank You for your attention