Culturally relevant Computing: Experiences of primary learners

What is it about?

This study investigated the experiences of primary learners who engaged with culturally adapted computing resources. These resources were designed to enable all learners to engage with and succeed in Computing, by bringing their culture and interests into the classroom. We conducted focus groups with the learners and the findings do suggest that engaging with culturally adapted resources can make primary learners feel more represented in their Computing lessons. In particular, engaging with an adapted unit led learners to feel that their interests were recognised as well as, to a lesser extent, their cultural backgrounds. The responses of the learners also suggest that they feel that perseverance is a more important quality than intelligence for success in computing and that anyone can do it.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Despite many efforts to make a career in Computing more accessible, many groups of people are still underrepresented in the field. For instance, a 2022 report revealed that only 22% of people currently working in the IT industry in the UK are women. Additionally, among learners who study Computing at schools in England, Black Caribbean students are currently one of the most underrepresented groups. One approach that has been suggested to address this underrepresentation at school is culturally relevant pedagogy.

Perspectives