Locating ICT for primary education in a reformed Greek-Cypriot national curriculum: A documentary analysis approach

This paper argues that educational technology in the Greek-Cypriot educational system has reached a critical point since ICT now appears for the first time in the newly reformed national curriculum. This study primarily illuminates the ways in which ICT is depicted in this curriculum with regards to primary education and, secondarily, explores whether the approach adopted appears consistent. The methodology employed involves a documentary analysis of the reformed curriculum in terms of four domains: rationale, content, teaching methodology as well as achievement processes across the 15 subject areas. Findings indicate that references to three ICT-related words are only made in some subjects. In addition, these references reflect either the socio-economic rationale towards ICT competency -also expressed in the general aims of the new NC- or the educational rationale, underlying the contribution of ICT to teaching and learning. Consequently, the approach towards new technologies fails to emerge as systematic across all primary school subjects. In this regard, although the inclusion of ICT in the reformed NC of the Greek-Cypriot educational system is certainly a way forward, the intended curriculum needs to be revised to reflect a clear approach, resembling either a focus on ICT competency or the educational perspective, or both. Furthermore, in anticipation of the implemented and attained curriculum, school structures as well as teacher professional development arise as issues for further consideration. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.