Developments in a Time Perspective

An analysis of computer literacy curricula around the middle of the 19e0s shows a remarkable overall shift away from teaching computing to teaching applications, informaton handling, and problem-solving. Computer use is no longer viewed az a goal in itself, but is introduced as a powerful means of fulfilling information needs and of facilitating learning and other instructional tasks. Some recent developments raise the question as to whether separate courses in coxputer literacy are still needed, or whether computer literacy goals could be better attained in other ways. Two interesting new lines of thinking can be observed. The first implies the integration of computer literacy goals with traditional educational goals by promoting the abandonment of separate computer literacy courses for the instrumental use of computers in existing courses. The second development, now being discussed in the Netherlands, can be characterized as a mixed approach, in which the more general computer literacy goals are realized via traditional subject matter courses, while more specific information handling goals are addressed in short separate courses. Both approaches are discussed, and links are established to The Computer in Education study of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) in order to provide a context for interpreting some of the study's results. (22 references) (Author/GL) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** Department of Education Division of Curriculum Technology Ref. : TO.21.89.617 Date: October 16, 1989 U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) XThis document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction qualify Points of view or opinions stated in this docu ment do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy INTRODUCTORY COMPUTER EDUCATION: DEVELOPMENTS IN A TIME PERSPECTIVE