Until recently, everyone talked about Information Technology (I T) - ie using computers to handle information in various ways - the requirements for schools are set out in the National Curriculum.
With the advent - or, more accurately, the popularisation - of the Internet, electronic mail, etc., this term has been expanded to Information and Communication Technologies, or I C T.
As well as continuing to develop the use of computers in the classroom, the government is keen to connect all schools and all pupils to the Internet, as part of the National Grid for Learning project.
The Teacher Training Agency "syllabus" for the training of new teachers includes substantial training in the use of ICT, with a requirement that students will achieve National Curriculum level 8 (as against level 7 in other subjects).
In the first set of National Curriculum documents, Information Technology was considered to be one aspect of "Technology"; in the first revision, it was separated into its own foundation subject (as against the "core" subjects of English, Mathematics and Science); in the recent relaxation of requirements, Information Technology is up there with English and Mathematics as an area where the full curriculum must continue to be covered, and is one of the five subjects which must be included in all Ofsted reports.
Last Updated: November 2nd 2002