How trainee teachers of IT approach teaching their subject

Abstract  This paper explores the nature of Information Technology (IT) as a separate subject in the secondary school curriculum. It reports on research carried out with a cohort of specialist IT post-graduate trainee teachers at a local university. The paper explores IT trainees' approach to teaching their subject and describes their strong focus on purpose when teaching IT. Important characteristics of the purposeful approach are the use of authentic data; the transformation of data by pupils; and a focus on problem solving within a context to which pupils can relate. However in their work in schools, trainees found constraints on developing a strong focus on purpose in their lessons. They were encouraged to experiment but felt they needed more support to carry out purposeful activities with pupils. The implications of this research on teacher training and on the value of IT as a curriculum subject are discussed.