This article covers in its first part the digital educational policies elaborated in Italy as part of the plan known as "Piano Nazionale Scuola Digitale" (PNSD). This plan constitutes in fact the orientation document issued by the "Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca" (MIUR) for the introduction of a…

This paper explores common misconceptions about technological literacy and technology education, proposes a model for technological literacy, and considers the implications of technology-induced changes for education. The model consists of three key dimensions that define technological literacy and guide programming for it: (1) technology's…

Discusses the policy report of the Minister of Education and Sciences, the creation and functions of the Advisory Committee on Education and Information Technology and the Centre for Education and Information Technology, characteristics of the development and implementation of computer literacy in the Netherlands, and a planned nationwide survey.…

This paper reports on ongoing research investigating the role of literacy in the secondary schools of England. A National Literacy Strategy was introduced in England in 1997, its principal initial focus being primary schools. It was always clear, however, that the strategy would influence secondary schools and later it became apparent that the…

In order to apply technological advancements to education, educators must devise on-going training programs for teachers and administrators and create a national policy that gives direction and sets priorities for the use of computer technology in the schools. In-service training for teachers should be based on four premises. First, each part of…

The symbolic function of curricular debate, as it is manifested in the minimum competency testing movement (MCT), is investigated. Curricular debate necessarily reflects the demands of the society in which it arises. The topics that are addressed spring from this milieu and the language in which issues are couched must be appropriate to it.…

This research project brings a critical perspective to the examination of computer literacy as an ideological form through a study of the reactions of high school teachers and students. On-site interviews with teachers and students found both acceptance of and resistance to the message of adjustment to an inevitable future of vocational and…

This handbook of research findings and practical suggestions is written for teachers, educators, and psychologists who are concerned about computer literacy for adults. Based on a federally funded research project, the handbook focuses on the computer needs of non-traditional adult learners over 25 years of age. The first section examines…

The introduction of informatics into the national school curriculum in Japan requires changes to educational policy, curricula, methods, facilities, etc. Although the basic functions of the school--i.e., to transmit the culture and to cultivate competencies that will allow a future society to develop--remain unchanged, new technologies change the…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the present status of computer use and educators' attitudes toward computers in South Korean schools. The questionnaire, mailed to 300 urban and rural elementary, middle, and high schools (response rate: 61 percent) consisted of: (1) demographic data on respondents; (2) computer-using teachers'…

Computers are changing the lives of millions of people, but schools are still not producing many computer literate students. Rapid improvements in hardware technology and major progress in the development of software have put computers within reach of everyone. Computer literacy must now be treated as a functional tool similar to reading, writing,…

In anticipation of the educational needs of the late 1980s in science, mathematics, and engineering education, the National Science Foundation has supported a variety of projects that can serve as examples and models of the uses of computing in science education. These projects fall into three categories, focusing on the computer as a tool of…

In response to recent national reports on educational excellence and effective schools, the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges commissioned research and recommendations for possible standards and policy revision or implementation in three areas: (1) student conduct and attendance; (2) length of the student day/year and more effectively…

Prepared for a 1984 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) conference, this report analyzes trends and changes in elementary, secondary, higher, and distance education curricula and institutional structures on the basis of a number of case studies from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands,…

Discusses several rationales for the use of computers in elementary and secondary schools, and describes differences in policies and needs in developing and industrial countries. Topics discussed include computer literacy; programing; computer-assisted instruction; student record keeping; administrative functions; industry's interests; cost…