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Jane Waite, PhD Student

Jane Waite PhD student QMULTell us about your work I have a number of different roles at Queen Mary. I teach on the student ambassadors undergraduates final year module, I run the Tech Pathways outreach programme which trains computing teachers a range of technical subjects, and I'm undertaking a part time PhD with Professor Paul Curzon at Queen Mary on how design is used in teaching of programming in primary schools. I’m also involved in other initiatives outside the University providing consultancy on computer education research, for example, I wrote the literature review for the Royal Society’s investigation of computing education in schools. 

Tell us how you got into computer science? When I was 16 years old, my A level physics teacher decided to learn how to teach computer science and selected four students in his class to learn alongside him, so I did a computer studies O level back in the 1980s. I then worked as a VAT inspector and was sent on day release to undertake a computer studies HND which led me to university where I did a computing degree. After graduating, I worked in industry as a developer for 20 years. When my daughter was born I switched careers and became a primary school teacher and after 10 years in class I was selected to work on a national programme creating lesson plan materials for schools on computing called the Barefoot Project. Following this, rather than returning to school, I started a part time PhD and transitioned to work in computing education teacher training resource development and research.

What brought you to Queen Mary? While working in primary schools as a general teacher, I became increasingly involved in computing as a subject and as such became aware of the work Prof Paul Curzon was doing through his CS4FN magazine, computer science magic and teacher training activities. He was considered one of the rockstars of computer science education and someone I would never meet! Before I started at Barefoot, I became involved with the Computing At Schools community which is a grassroots organisation of computing teachers. Prof Curzon is one of the founding members of the community. I attended several national conferences at which he presented and very much admired his work particularly the way he explained complicated topics in fun and memorable ways. His use of unplugged techniques resonated with the way I taught in primary school. After completing Barefoot, I asked one of the senior members of Computing At School if he could help me find a prospective university for my PhD, he sent out a blanket email to all his university contacts including Prof Paul Cruzon. Paul contacted me, explained the application process, I applied, I was interviewed and here I am!

What’s the best thing about your work? I really enjoy putting research into practise. When I worked for Barefoot there was very little research on how to teach programming in primary schools. My reason for doing a PhD is to fill that gap and now my research is being used in primary schools to change teaching and learning. I very much enjoy writing for CS4FN and seeing research being brought to life for the school community. I enjoy my work training teachers particularly explaining complicated concepts in fun and memorable ways. Computer science education research combines my experience and expertise in computing gained in industry and experience and expertise of being a primary school teacher. 

When not at EECS, what are your interests? I’m a keen gardener, I grow lots of vegetables every year most of which I give away to my neighbours because there’s always too much. I have a daughter who is studying computer science, film and dance and I have a cat called GOAT (and she looks like a goat too!).