We’ve seen a gradual, yet significant rise in tech giants like Apple, Microsoft and Google becoming a part of British schooling, teachers are welcoming the change and are now even requesting more computer course materials.
As part of this progression, Apple has extended its ‘Everyone Can Code’ programme (which in short is a step by step on how to create iOS apps) and now spans across over 70 schools and universities throughout Europe. It’s a streamlined process where Apple simply provide an iBook, as well as a help guide for teachers.
“The new Apple one, it’s a wonderful programme, but I’m somewhat questioning how many schools will find it particularly relevant to them,”
“There’s an awful lot of UK schools that don’t actually have any Apple technology, so they’ll find it challenging to adopt this.”
Stated Bill Mitchell, director of public affairs at the British Computer Society. He also pointed out that the current material available for computing is ‘patchy’ and ‘fragile’ so educators are very much grateful for any help.
This leads us to the fundamental issue that that coding is currently being encouraged in our students, however, it’s the teachers who aren’t confident, due mostly to their lack of a computing background.
The National Education Union has provided information that could explain the supposed ‘tech gap’, it revealed that close to 100% of teachers have had to use their own wages to fund school equipment. In a similar light, ⅓ of students attend a school where Computer Science isn’t on offer.
On a lighter note, the government has said it will invest £100 million in training computer teachers, whilst many are teaching themselves essential skills over social platforms like Twitter chats and Youtube.
Certainly, Apple is not the first corporate tech company to offer computing help to educators, 50% of British Primary schools use Barefoot computing, sponsored by BT.
