The most favourable model of primary computer curriculum in the eyes of the principals

This research tries to find out the principals’ perspectives of a Primary Computer Curriculum for Hong Kong primary schools. The subjects are selected by stratified random sampling of 25% of all Hong Kong primary school principals. The method is by mailed questionnaire, followed by forum and case studies. From the preliminary analysis of the data collected, it way found that most principals want to offer computer subject starting from P.1. They didn’t prefer teaching programming. They would like to focus on basic computer knowledge, operations and applications. Their main concerns are lack of qualified teachers, time slots on the formal timetable, space for computer room as well as teaching materials like textbooks and software. The reasons why they offer computer education to their schools are to prepare students for the need of future information society and to assist learning. So their model is more on Information Technology and Computer Across the Curriculum. The solutions to the problems are to put more emphasis on computer modules in pre-service and in-service teacher education, to teach student teachers to develop CAL programs, to form a pilot scheme of interested principals and teachers, and to develop modules for the primary computer curriculum. Copyright © 1997 Australian Curriculum Studies Association Inc.