Information Technology in United Kingdom Initial Teacher Education, 1982–92

ABSTRACT During the past decade the introduction of microcomputers has been a major innovation in the United Kingdom (UK). This new technology has enormous potential to improve teaching and learning and it continues to offer an exciting challenge to educationalists. This paper reviews the development of information technology (IT) in initial teacher education. The change in IT courses over time reflects the development of a more critical view on the effect of IT on teaching and learning and the cross curricular aspect of IT in the UK National Curriculum. Many issues still remain and can result in a lack of IT competence in newly trained teachers. In 1990 IT became the only skill to be specifically listed within the guidelines for teacher training accreditation by the UK government Current issues and strategies to improve IT components of initial teacher education courses are discussed.