This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the International Conference on Informatics in Secondary Schools - Evolution and Perspectives, ISSEP 2005, held in Klagenfurt, Austria in March/April 2005. The 21 revised full papers presented together with an introduction were carefully reviewed and selected for inclusion in the book. A broad variety of topics related to teaching informatics in secondary schools is addressed ranging from national experience reports to paedagogical and methodological issues.

The major focus of this Handbook is the design and potential of IT-based student learning environments. Offering the latest research in IT and the learning process, distance learning, and emerging technologies for education, these chapters address the critical issue of the potential for IT to improve K-12 education. A second important theme deals with the implementation of IT in educational practice. In these chapters, barriers and opportunities for IT implementation are studied from several perspectives. This Handbook provides an integrated and detailed overview of this complex field, making it an essential reference.

This book addresses the multiple components that are important for successful implementation of IT in education, including supporting student learning with technology.

Computers, communications, digital information, softwareâ€"the constituents of the information ageâ€"are everywhere. Being computer literate, that is technically competent in two or three of today's software applications, is not enough anymore. Individuals who want to realize the potential value of information technology (IT) in their everyday lives need to be computer fluentâ€"able to use IT effectively today and to adapt to changes tomorrow. Being Fluent with Information Technology sets the standard for what everyone should know about IT in order to use it effectively now and in the future. It explores three kinds of knowledgeâ€"intellectual capabilities, foundational concepts, and skillsâ€"that are essential for fluency with IT. The book presents detailed descriptions and examples of current skills and timeless concepts and capabilities, which will be useful to individuals who use IT and to the instructors who teach them.

This book is intended primarily for students who are training to become specialist teachers of Information Technology (IT), or have recently qualified as IT teachers, or who are teaching IT without the benefit of specialist training for the subject. As the first book which addresses learning how to teach IT specifically it will also be of value to more experienced IT teachers, who can use it to help them reflect on their own practice and incorporate new ideas. Finally, it will be a helpful resource for tutors of IT specialist student teachers.