I really like this document. I mean, I really like it. It serves to bring a number of concepts regarding information technology education and curriculum design into one place, and suggests real methods by which tangible results may be achieved that have a positive impact on the social fabric of society.
What especially resonated with me was the three elements of technology skills, which include:
It is especially gratifying to myself to see that less emphasis is being placed upon skills to use the applications available for computers while more is being targeted at cognitive development in terms of technology analysis. The overlap into traditional fields of study taught in education is obvious and should underscore the importance of a solid, complete education in the acquisition and meaningful use of these skills in society.
Rather than encouraging institutions to teach a "shopping list" of technology skills, the focus on broad "concepts" related to technology is advocated by the report's authors, thereby enabling training recipients' knowledge lifespan to be considerably greater.
Of note is the congruence between this and the Alberta Education Technology Outcomes project; both feature a more all-encompassing approach to technology.
A superior collaborative creation that should find its way into the hands of all pre-service and in-service teachers!