This subject may be unfamiliar to American educators who have been brought up on Skinner. However, it is worth getting to know some of Piaget's material. Seymour Papert, the author of Logo, studied under Piaget before moving to MIT.
Since I started teaching, as a UK trained high school computer specialist my subject has gone through 4 stages of development. A simple way to try to explain the development of ICT as a high school subject would be:
Computer Studies |
A combination of BASIC computer programming and elementary computer science |
Information Technology |
Applications based course - word-processor, spreadsheet, database were presented as solutions looking for a problem |
Information Systems |
Context based course - looking for IT solutions to solve real-life problems |
Information and Communications Technology |
The subject is broadened in its approach. A student must be able to communicate effectively, independently of the technology chosen: word-processor, dtp, fax, e-mail etc... |
The most concise definition of information literacy I have come across is provided by the American Library Association in its report from the ALA Presidential Committee on Information Literacy:
An informaton literate person is able to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information." -American Library Association
The whole article is worth reading if you have the time.
The word-processor, spreadsheet and relational database are examples of what we might refer to as killer apps. They revolutionised the way that ICT professionals use their computer, but the basic concept behind each application has not been improved upon as application packages have developed.
The first Director General of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. He had a reputation of wanting to use public broadcasting in order to educate, edify and inform the masses rather than merely entertain them.