Computer pioneers: of kids and keyboards

Today, many parents may be cursing the arrival of the home computer or the Internet. Now that information and communications technologies are an intrinsic part of growing up, media coverage often focuses on the downside of children at the keyboard.

Parents should be responsible in limiting access time and guiding and monitoring youngsters' use of computers and the Internet. But they should also be aware of just how important Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is to their children's educational development and preparation for a career.

NCC Education, a UK-based company with world-wide operations has devised ICT courses for children and young people. Its Computer Pioneers course structures ICT learning for ages four to 16 and is tailored to fit in with core national curriculum subjects, such as geography, history and maths.

NCC has 300 partner organisations in some 40 countries and is represented in Malta by Swatar Training Centre. Computer Pioneers was showcased at STC's recent open day on June 7.

STC's annual open day is a practical demonstration of the training centre's role in the community. Some 600 visitors participated in this year's event, which was aimed at increasing awareness among prospective students and their parents on the value of an IT career.

An example of public-private partnership at its best, STC is a first in Malta in its approach to helping students develop careers in IT. STC is backed by MITTS, the Government's IT consultancy, and Nucleus Training International Ltd, a collaborative venture comprising some 14 IT firms on the islands, HSBC, Bank of Valletta and KnowledgePool, a global IT training company. STC is an important focal point on the islands for young people keen to follow a professional career in IT.

STC already collaborates with the Ministry of Education in promoting IT careers by holding a series of talks to fifth formers at schools around the country.

Computer Pioneers courses have established their credentials as compatible with, and complementary to, state education curricula over several years of trials and tests in the UK. They are considered unique in their structured approach, which dovetails with the national curriculum, and for their flexibility to adapt to individual children's needs.

At an early stage, the courses let young children develop ICT skills by exploring fun activities and core curriculum subjects. At later stages, when children are in their teens, the syllabus shifts emphasis to focus more on ICT itself and programming languages

The 'learn at your own pace' credo ensures that the very young gain confidence in their abilities, step by step. The courses are nonetheless structured and are assessed to international standards. At around age 14, youngsters following the course from an early stage will have achieved a level compatible with the European Computer Driving Licence. The Computer Pioneers syllabus also uses regularly updated software to ensure latest technologies are included.

Early ICT learning has other spin-off benefits, namely the breaking down of the gender barrier, which deters young women from taking up careers in ICT industries.

A new component of STC's Open Day this year were two seminars, one specifically on the issue of gender and IT. 'IT for All: Except Women' discussed the root causes of the small number of women in IT careers both in Malta and internationally. The number of women in Malta working in the IT sector and in education as IT trainers reflects international statistics.

However, Mandy Mifsud, who chaired the seminar, believes that more can be done. "It would be good for the country to combine its current strength, its 'computers in schools' drive, with a clear message to girls and young women that ICT is something for them to take up beyond the classroom."

For more information on Computer Pioneers and STC courses for individuals and companies, contact Mandy Mifsud at STC on Tel: 2145-3200 or e-mail: mandym@stcmalta.com.