Celebrating Black Computing (Secondary)

Designed for KS3 and KS4 learners, this ready-to-use lesson features 14 black individuals and gives short introductions to prejudice, algorithmic bias and the number of black people working in computing today. The lesson offers a great way to celebrate the lives of black computing professionals during Black History Month or at any other time of the year and to consider the challenges they may face. The importance of diversity in tech teams and the need to develop systems that work for everyone are also explained.

The lesson includes an engaging and informative PowerPoint consisting of over 30 slides. It starts with differentiated objectives, has a worksheet to complete as the lesson progresses and ends with suggested follow up actions. Notes and answers to the worksheet and activities are included.

There are three activities which can be completed in class or given as homework: a Word Search, a poster activity and an activity exploring the lives of four more black tech professionals.

This lesson supports the national curriculum for computing which aims to ensure that all pupils become digitally literate and active participants in the digital world.

Individuals featured in the PowerPoint: Evelyn Boyd Granville, Alan Emtage, Lyndsey Scott, Mark Dean, Dorothy Monekosso, Alex Fefegha, Joy Adowaa Buolamwini, Segun Fatumo, Hosanna Hali, Ashleigh Ainsley, Lynda Chinaka, Joshua Malemba, Charlene Hunter and Tom Ilube.

Individuals featured in the activity: Bruce Bond, Beverly Clarke, Andy Ayim and Anne-Marie Imafidon.

A separate lesson is available for primary school classes featuring different black computing professionals.

Duration: Approximately one hour plus three activities.

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