Computer Clubs for Girls CC4G Melody Hermon

Agenda e-skills UK The Challenge Computer Clubs for Girls – CC4G The CC4G courseware The impact –Evaluation –Case study – Pembroke School –Further evaluation

e-skills UK Sector Skills Council for IT and Telecoms Employer led Not for profit –Research –Skills supply – IT Management and Business –Workforce development Skills for the Information Age Business IT Guide –Sector attractiveness User skills – e-skills UK Passport

The Challenge

The future workforce IT and Telecoms account for just under 1.4 million of the UK's total workforce Growth over the next decade Central to the UK's economy Significant numbers of people will be needed Changing skills Market forces

Women working in IT Women represent 46% of the UK workforce Women represent 19% of IT and Telecoms workforce –18% of IT managers are female –12% of IT strategy and planning professionals –14% software professionals –58% database assistants

Women in IT – education At 16 –44% of applicants were girls –Girls performed better than boys –Numbers increased since 2003 At 18 –39% of applicants are female –ICT v Computing Higher education choices –58% of HE places go to women –24% of places on IT and related courses

Why? Department of Trade and Industry research British Computer Society Research e-skills UK – a negative perceptions –The type of people who work in technology –Male dominated –Influence of school experience –Knowledge of IT careers –Lack of strong role and relevant role models –HE courses not attractive –Changes between 10 and 14

Positive Action Women working in IT –Networking Groups –Employer Diversity Programmes IBM 'Respect for the Individual‘ Accenture 'Women's Networking Forum' and 'Global Women's Initiative' –Recruitment and information websites –National awards CC4G

What is CC4G? Out of hours school club Web-based activities and challenges Courseware meets the needs of: –Employers –Schools –Girls aged between 10 and 14 Courseware introduces a range of ICT skills within a familiar and exciting context A website to support girls and teachers

What is CC4G (cont.) Club materials Support –Regional organisations –Employers CC4G Helpdesk

The story so far Pilot and roll-out across to state funded schools across England Pilot in Northern Ireland Programmes in Scotland Programmes in Wales

The CC4G courseware

What teachers say - Delivery 89% said the quality of guidance was ‘absolutely brilliant’ or ‘pretty good’ 79% said it was ‘easy’ or ‘pretty easy’ to get started with CC4G 81% said it was ‘easy’ or ‘pretty easy’ to facilitate 65% said CC4G should remain girls only

What teachers say – Impact 98% said that members’ IT confidence levels improved 96% said that members’ IT skills are improved 97% said that membership will have a positive impact on members’ achievements in IT 88% said that membership will have a positive impact on members’ achievements across the curriculum 52% said their level of confidence in IT has improved 55% said their level of skills in IT has improved

Girls 67% said that CC4G had made them more likely to want to work in a career involving technology 86% said that CC4G should stay girls only Girls who are not comfortable in other clubs (music, sport) often find their niche in CC4G Cross-curricular gains are made, particularly when girls realise that ICT can help them in different contexts Evidence suggests ICT skills learnt in the club environment are more enduring, and girls correlate these more easily than those learned in a classroom.

CC4G in practice

Pembroke School – why CC4G? To promote improved transition links Work on existing business and education links Uptake of qualifications Girls under-achieving Girls in Y6/Y7 switching off ICT Complementary Potential growth of the IT industry in Wales of 20-30% Local regional support

Pembroke school – what? Pilot –Three centres –Transition years – primary to secondary –6 th formers as mentors –Girls Girls from rural primary schools Lack of IT at home Mid year exams identified as under-achievers How it worked –Training –‘Celebrity’ visits –Created a ‘chill zone’ –On-going evaluation

Impact Performance has overtaken boys Improved transition Attendance 85% reported increased confidence 90% more likely to do and ICT exam 66% said used skills elsewhere

What next More mentors, centres and girls Older girls Links to other programmes Further evaluation Spread good practice Encourage parental participation Qualifications for girls and teachers

Further evaluation Analysis of discourse –High percentage of exploratory and cumulative discourse –Little or no off-task discourse Outcomes better than any individual student could produce alone Members consistently fully engaged Peer support – older girls supporting younger effectively in Clubs Exploratory approach – girls more likely to engage with and explore courseware and the related software

Further evaluation 2 Increasing confidence with ICT Growing self-esteem More relaxed and happier than in class Special educational needs students making gains 10 year olds outperforming students from the year above

Future developments Community environment Navigation Topic refreshes New topics

Agenda e-skills UK The Challenge Computer Clubs for Girls – CC4G The CC4G courseware The impact –Evaluation –Case study – Pembroke School –Further evaluation