Information and Communication Technology
The importance of ICT
The increasing use of technology in all aspects of society makes confident, creative and productive use of ICT an essential skill for life. ICT capability encompasses not only the mastery of technical skills and techniques, but also the understanding to apply these skills purposefully, safely and responsibly in learning, everyday life and employment. ICT capability is fundamental to participation and engagement in modern society.
ICT can be used to find, develop, analyse and present information, as well as to model situations and solve problems. ICT enables rapid access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities and cultures, and allows pupils to collaborate and exchange information on a wide scale. ICT acts as a powerful force for change in society and citizens should have an understanding of the social, ethical, legal and economic implications of its use, including how to use ICT safely and responsibly. Increased capability in the use of ICT supports initiative and independent learning, as pupils are able to make informed judgements about when and where to use ICT to enhance their learning and the quality of their work.
Range and content
The study of ICT should include:
- use of a range of information, with different characteristics, structures and purposes, and evaluation of how it matches requirements and its fitness for purpose
- use of a variety of information sources, including large data sets, in a range of contexts
- use and review of the effectiveness of different ICT tools, including a range of software applications, in terms of meeting user needs and solving problems
- developing an understanding of the need to:
- employ safe working practices in order to minimise physical stress
- keep information secure
- manage information organisation, storage and access to secure content and enable efficient retrieval - the impact of ICT on individuals, communities and society, including the social, economic, legal and ethical implications of access to, and use of, ICT.
To find out more about ICT visit the National Curriculum website.
