The development of an educational computing course for initial training of primary teachers

Abstract Current literature in educational computing concentrates on the creation of better software and more in‐service training to maintain the impetus in the use of microcomputers in the classroom. This approach often ignores the vital role to be played by educational computing courses in initial teacher training, the content of which is much under‐researched. This paper outlines the development of one such course at La Sainte Union College of Higher Education, in which the student teachers were asked to work at an early stage with groups of children using micro‐computers. The results are very encouraging and specific conclusions are presented and discussed. These may be of interest to others involved with formulating policy and the provision of new technology courses in initial teacher training.