All governments aim to provide the most comprehensive education possible
for their citizens within the constraints of available finance. Because of
the pivotal position of ICT in modern societies, its introduction into secondary
schools will be high on any political agenda. This book gives a practical
and realistic approach to curriculum and teacher development that can
be implemented quickly and cost effectively, according to available resources.
The curriculum is designed to be capable of implementation throughout
the world to all secondary age students. The programme of teacher professional
development relates closely to the ICT curriculum, and particularly to
the stage of development that schools have reached with respect to ICT.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
ICT permeates the business environment, it underpins the success of
modern corporations, and it provides governments with an efficient
infrastructure. At the same time, ICT adds value to the processes of
learning, and in the organization and management of learning institutions.
The Internet is a driving force for much development and innovation
in both developed and developing countries.
Countries must be able to benefit from technological developments.
To be able to do so, a cadre of professionals has to be educated with sound
ICT backgrounds, independent of specific computer platforms or software
environments.
Technological developments lead to changes in work and changes in
the organization of work, and required competencies are therefore
changing. Gaining in importance are the following competencies:
• critical thinking,
• generalist (broad) competencies,
• ICT competencies enabling expert work,
• decision-making,
• handling of dynamic situations,
• working as a member of a team, and
• communicating effectively.