The Learning Machine

4. Which Way to a Job?

BBC1 Series 1 Episode 4
First broadcast 16th May 1985, 23:15
Duration: 24:32
A personal view by Tim O'Shea of computers in education. A series of six programmes 4: Which Way to a Job? 'If we don't prepare pupils for a technological future we're sunk!' Is the technical and vocational teaching now appearing in our schools the best preparation for the changing world of work? Film editor JANE WOOD Producer LAN WOOLF

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Clips from this programme

Opening Titles

Duration: 00:29

Intro: Shortage of the new skills: Tim O'Shea: The significance of New Technology on Life, upgrading the need for skills (Michael Marland CBE MA, Head Teacher North Westminster Community School). New subjects in schools: it's more than just the age of the computer, it's electronics too:

Duration: 02:52

TVEI (Technical and Vocational) funding, each local authority choosing how to spend this money diverted from other areas but Job prospects need to be considered (John Chapman, Eastham Secondary School)

Duration: 03:23

Can school computers really prepare pupils for computers found outside school - Gaining confidence for other devices. Educating, not training (Chris Farwell, Wirral TVEI Coordinator)(Len Smales-TVEI Co-ordinator Eastham Secondary School). Dealing with adolescents (Mike Nicol-Director of Education-Wirral)

Duration: 03:24

TVEI (Technical and Vocational) is applicable across all areas. The reality of TVEI, bringing back differentiation (Dan Finn-Unemployment Unit).

Duration: 02:14

Can schools keep on with changing technologies. Different jobs have appeared as a result of new technology and new skills are needed are some areas of UK.

Duration: 01:43

The Wallasey / Wirral Marconi Information Technology Centre (Stephen Burrows -ITeC), traditional roles & 'feminine-related' jobs (Veronica Anderson & John Robinson-Computing Supervisors-ITeC). ITeC should be expanded into adult training (Pat Burke-Manager Wirral-Marconi ITeC)

Duration: 04:36

ITeC s: Too few and too few student s (Dan Finn-Author "Employment Effects of New Technologies") Personal attributes and high technology skills are important to employers (Brian Kearsley, Area Employment Manager, Wirral)(Madeleine Cross, Job Centre Manager)

Duration: 02:55

Conclusions on skills taught, and those needed, for jobs: Tim O'Shea: I.T. Balanced by all other aspects of education, please

Duration: 02:38

End Titles

Duration: 00:29

The Learning Machine

1. Promises, Promises

First broadcast: 25th April 1985
Duration 24:49

A personal view by Tim O'Shea of computers in education. The first of six programmes Promises, Promises ... As teachers have pointed out: 'They gave us the machines before anyone knew what to do with them.' Tim O'Shea questions the motives for putting micros into schools and suggests what is needed for the computer to live up to its educational promise. Film editor HOWARD SHARP Producer IAN WOOLF

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2. Why is so much educational software so lousy?

First broadcast: 2nd May 1985
Duration 24:28

A personal view by Tim O'Shea of computers in education. 2: Why is so much educational software so lousy? Why it is so difficult for parents and teachers to find educational software that does something useful, or at the very least does what it's supposed to do? Studio director: ROBERT ALBURY Producer: IAN WOOLF

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3. The Gender Gap

First broadcast: 9th May 1985
Duration 24:46

A personal view by Celia Hoyles of computers in education. 3: The Gender Gap. Girls are often excluded from computers at home and in school. They're even told that they shouldn't be interested in technology! Celia Hoyles , Professor of Mathematics, Institute of Education (London University), explores the myths and prejudices about computing and girls. Series producer IAN WOOLF Producer ROBERT ALBURY

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4. Which Way to a Job?

First broadcast: 16th May 1985
Duration 24:32

A personal view by Tim O'Shea of computers in education. A series of six programmes 4: Which Way to a Job? 'If we don't prepare pupils for a technological future we're sunk!' Is the technical and vocational teaching now appearing in our schools the best preparation for the changing world of work? Film editor JANE WOOD Producer LAN WOOLF

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5. Having a Bash at BASIC

First broadcast: 23rd May 1985
Duration 25:00

A personal view by Tim O'Shea of computers in education. A series of six programmes 5: Having a Bash at BASIC. 'BASIC? - The worst thing since sliced bread!' With a variety of professional programmers, Tim O'Shea presents the case against BASIC, and looks at recent developments in programming languages. education. Studio director ROBERT ALBURY Producer IAN WOOLF

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6. Intelligent Pets

First broadcast: 30th May 1985
Duration 24:21

A personal view by Tim O'Shea of computers in education. The last of six programmes 6: Intelligent Pets. Tim O'Shea looks at some possible futures for computers in education with Professor Aaron Sloman and Dr Benedict du Boulay Alison Kidd and Alex d'Agapeyeff. Sketches written by PAUL HINES Producer IAN WOOLF Director ROBERT ALBURY

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