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Increasing Uptake of Coding for Girls - Make It a Language Choice

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Colorado Convention Center, Bluebird Ballroom Lobby, Table 42

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Presenters

Chris Hopkinson

Lead Teacher of Computer Science

Putney High School GDST

As a Computer Science teacher at Putney High School, an independent girls' school in London, I am passionate about increasing the uptake of Computer Science and Coding among students aged 11 to 18. My goal is to empower girls to become leaders in tech and entrepreneurship, and improve skills applicable to such a wide range of roles in various industries. Introducing Coding as a Year 9 subject has tripled uptake for GCSE Computer Science. At ISTE, I will share insights and offer practical advice for integrating Python into school curricula to foster digital skills among young women.

James Mutton

Deputy Head (Innovation and Curriculum)

Putney High School GDST
@mrjmutton
@James Mutton

James is Deputy Head at Putney High School GDST in London, UK. He is a Geography teacher who loves to use the power of tech in and out of the classroom to enhance the learning experience of his students. His recent focus has been to develop the curriculum in a Girls' day school to increase participation in all things Computer Science / Coding / Robotics so the students are ready for whatever the world throws at them in the future!

Session description

At Putney High School, a girls' day school in London, UK, we have repositioned Python coding as a language option for students in Year 9 (13yrs old).

Purpose & objective

Putney High School is an all-through independent girls’ day school in south-west London, UK. It is well evidenced that there is gender inequality in computer science and related fields, and we are working hard to address that. The challenge we faced was giving curriculum time to students to learn valuable coding skills whilst at the same time allowing them a broad and balanced curriculum.

Participants at this session will understand what the issues around gender inequality in computer science fields, particularly in the UK sector, and will be given practical advice on how this can be reduced in a school setting. Sharing examples from the curriculum, we will empower educators to review their own curriculum and give specific examples how they could integrate Python into their schools.

In just one year, we implemented this programme with >50% uptake from the year 9 students.

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Outline

10 minutes – The state of play in the UK with respect to coding in schools and an analysis of the skills shortage we face.
10 minutes – An overview of our school situation and the identification of the need.
10 minutes – An explanation of the process we went through to bring Python onto the curriculum.
15 minutes – A detailed demonstration and discussion on the content that we have taught and the outcomes of the students.
10 minutes – A review of the programme at Putney High School so far, the impact that it has had and the iteration of it into its second year.

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Supporting research

https://www.isc.co.uk/media-enquiries/isc-blogs/python-becomes-a-modern-language-for-putney-high-school-s-next-generation-of-digital-nomads/
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/education/python-coding-modern-foreign-languages-learning-putney-high-school-london-b1063607.html
https://ispn-uk.com/agenda/ispn-sept-2023-agenda/
https://spacetech.sut.gdst.net/

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Session specifications

Topic:

Curriculum planning & evaluation

Grade level:

PK-12

Skill level:

Beginner

Audience:

Curriculum/district specialists, Principals/head teachers, Teachers

Attendee devices:

Devices not needed

Subject area:

Career and technical education, Computer science

ISTE Standards:

For Educators:
Leader

Shape, advance and accelerate a shared vision for empowered learning with technology by engaging with education stakeholders.
Model for colleagues the identification, exploration, evaluation, curation and adoption of new digital resources and tools for learning.

For Education Leaders:
Systems Designer