Computing reform: The exodus of ICT teachers

Abstract

The 2010s saw significant reform in ICT and computing education. ICT was written off as an irrelevant vocational subject, and effectively “scrapped.” Introduced in its place was the national curriculum computing programmes of study (Computing), with an emphasis on computer science. This blanket reform meant that secondary school “ICT” subject teachers were immediately required to teach “Computing.” This study’s findings demonstrate that ICT teachers felt unsupported throughout the reform process. Teachers have been unable to reconcile the identity of “Teacher of Computing” with their professional situations and have left teaching. This loss of teachers should be viewed as an “educational loss” of expertise and diversity in the computing classroom. It is recommended that teachers are given support to allow a reconnection with their previous “successful” professional identities. Good teachers should not be lost because of the rushed implementation of national reforms.