Australian ICT curriculum at crossroads

The national curriculum appears to do nothing useful for ICT as a subject with a concentration on ICT literacy. This is essential but it is not the same thing as studying ICT as a subject in its own right. The difference is simplest to explain by analogy. Reading (the original meaning of literacy) is a skill that is essential to enable any level of progress in most subjects in our educational system. Everyone supports teaching people to read. It is not the same, however, as studying English literature as a subject. Similarly it is essential to teach everyone how to use ICT. This is required to study most subjects effectively, but not everyone will want to study ICT as a subject at school. By failing to make this distinction, we do a great disservice to those who might make ICT their chosen career. Britain has chosen a different approach, with Education Minister Michael Gove abolishing the existing ICT curriculum in schools and seeking help to develop content for the subject. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/opinion/ict-curriculum-needs-overhaul/story-e6frgb0o-1226471356733