INFORMATICS IN TEACHER-EDUCATION IN JAPAN

This paper charts the developments in information technology (IT) policies in education in Japan over the past decade with particular emphasis on the impacts on teacher education. Beginning with the work of the National Council on Educational Reform in 1985, the Japanese education system initiated a thorough analysis of the role of information technology in all aspects of education from kindergarten through to high school, vocational education and pre- and in-service teacher education. The various approaches culminated in guidelines and statutory requirements relating to both schools' curricula and teacher training, published in the period 1990-1992. More recently other ministries have contributed to developments including the Ministry for International Trade and Industry which has categorized the different types of information engineers and among these is the new Educational Engineer. The paper reports the processes leading to these developments.