11–20 of 89 posts
A politically correct response is what is important these days - ignore the ideas, ignore the challenge.
While I'm aware this may get downvoted to the depths, I feel I have to say it. Why should kids be taught programming instead of reading, writing, language and maths? If the curriculum was changed to include programming, it would almost certainly reduce the funding and time put into other, more important subjects. While a good understanding of computers will help with almost any job in the future, unless you're going…
While I'm aware this may get downvoted to the depths, I feel I have to say it. Why should kids be taught programming instead of reading, writing, language and maths? If the curriculum was changed to include programming, it would almost certainly reduce the funding and time put into other, more important subjects. While a good understanding of computers will help with almost any job in the future, unless you're going…
Is an email to Michael Gove really the best way to get his attention? This is a classic fob off email by a gatekeeper underling who has no idea who you are.
And ironically Michael Gove does know who I am because he was in the room next to me at Oxford. I figured this was the best way to get to him since he has personally responded to me in the past.
Do the same letter handwritten. Put a post-it note on the front saying "roommate from college" so whoever opens his mail will know to pass it through. Send it snail-mail.
Having said that, I think your letter had no point, and getting upset about the response is crazy. Your letter has a long introduction and then asks for hand-waving assistance, "The project does not need money, but it does need the sort of wind in its sails that government can provide." What does that mean? Why are you looking for the government to do technology leadership when it's been reliably shown to be rubbish at it?
Here's something you could do. Find a way to get geeks teaching classes to kids using Rasberry Pis. I'm in London and have thought this would be fun to do but I'm crap at setting things up. If you set it up and want a lecturer my email's in my profile and I can probably find others.
To get a reasoned response I'd imagine you'd have to get together a group of cronies from the BCS or similar and send an officially sanctioned letter?
I totally agree with John's letter. When I was in primary school we had access to a BBC Micro with a Logo turtle which we could program ourselves. In senior school we had a BBC Master with the Domesday project, which was amazing at the time with decent resolution photos! The school was also lucky enough to have a ring network of BBC Micros with a shared Winchester Hard Drive. Later, we got access to Acorn Archimedes…
Aah, glory days ;-)
Is an email to Michael Gove really the best way to get his attention? This is a classic fob off email by a gatekeeper underling who has no idea who you are.
And ironically Michael Gove does know who I am because he was in the room next to me at Oxford. I figured this was the best way to get to him since he has personally responded to me in the past.
I don't think Sandra's substantive response was terrible (save for your name being wrong); your initial email does read somewhat as if it's primarily about the Raspberry Pi initiative rather than the broader issues (which you use as a foundation for the Pi suggestion).
All I'd say is don't give up - just bear in mind Gove will be up to his neck in conference prep at the moment. I know you've good experience in successful campaigning...
While I'm aware this may get downvoted to the depths, I feel I have to say it. Why should kids be taught programming instead of reading, writing, language and maths? If the curriculum was changed to include programming, it would almost certainly reduce the funding and time put into other, more important subjects. While a good understanding of computers will help with almost any job in the future, unless you're going…
I think programming is less essential than literacy and numeracy, agreed. But there are plenty of subjects that do not lead directly to jobs, drama and history being obvious examples. The point I would make is that the more people who get taught programming at school, the more people who are available in the workforce who can program. Programming is better paid than most other jobs. The skills attract foreign investm…
Being a lawer is well payed, I'd never do it and it isn't getting taught in school. And they only attract jobs now because not many people can do it, if every graduate could program to a reasonable level, salleries would go down and the number of people unemployed with these skills would go up.
However, the role of this Department is limited to setting the policy framework of the National Curriculum of what is taught in terms of content, attainment targets and how performance is assessed and reported. Therefore, we do not endorse, fund or promote specific resources or activities for use in schools.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
And ironically Michael Gove does know who I am because he was in the room next to me at Oxford. I figured this was the best way to get to him since he has personally responded to me in the past.
He's not going to have time to open all his mail. Do the same letter handwritten. Put a post-it note on the front saying "roommate from college" so whoever opens his mail will know to pass it through. Send it snail-mail. Having said that, I think your letter had no point, and getting upset about the response is crazy. Your letter has a long introduction and then asks for hand-waving assistance, "The project does not…