What is ICT?

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is concerned with the storage, processing, presentation and communication of information by electronic means. Computers are the most obvious of these but ICT also includes telephones, programmable robots, tape recorders, calculators and video cameras. It also includes the measurement, modelling and control of external events. ICT continues to evolve very quickly and has now become firmly entrenched in many aspects of everyday life, both at home and in the workplace.

As ICT underpins today’s modern lifestyle it is essential that all students gain the confidence and ability, that they need in this subject, to prepare them for the challenge of a rapidly developing and changing technological world. The use of ICT will also enhance and extend students’ learning across the whole curriculum whilst developing motivation and social skills.

The Nature of ICT

Information and communication technology (ICT) contributes to the school curriculum by preparing all young people to participate in a rapidly changing society in which work and other forms of activity are increasingly dependent on ICT. The subject develops students’ information skills, including the ability to use information sources and ICT tools to help them find, explore, develop, analyse, exchange and present information and to support their problem solving, investigative and expressive work. An essential part of ICT capability is being discriminating about information and the ways in which it may be used, and making informed judgements about when and how to apply aspects of ICT to achieve maximum benefit. Students also develop an understanding of the implications of ICT for working life and society. The use of ICT significantly enhances teaching and learning in other subjects by enabling rapid access to knowledge, information and experiences from a wide range of sources. The use of ICT throughout the curriculum encourages critical thinking, imagination and creativity, problem solving, initiative and independence, teamwork and reflection. In a nutshell, the purpose of ICT in the school curriculum is to enable students to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes to enable them to make effective use of ICT.