Computer literacy in UK education: an evolving strategy

Abstract

For the past three decades, the United Kingdom (UK) has been searching for the best methods of providing computer literacy and competence for elementary and secondary pupils. Initially, schools developed computer studies as a separate area of study instead of promoting the use of computers across the curriculum, an approach supported by the Micro-electronics Education Programme (MEP). The debate between these two approaches involved parents, pupils, and employers as well as MEP experts and inservice teacher educators. In 1987, upon realizing that the bulk of information technology resources in schools had been used only for students 16 years or older who were taking General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) classes, the National Curriculum demanded an information technology dimension in each of the core subjects and a cross-curricular approach to information technology competence. Despite the good intentions of such educational changes, it remains to be seen if this new strategy can succeed in its aim to make information technology competence a natural part of every pupil's repertoire.