In addition, vocational high schools usually teach computer courses. However, at present there is not systematic instruction on how to utilize computers. The national government is launching a new standard curriculum in 2003 under which information technology will be taught as a compulsory subject. In addition, at all general and vocational high schools infomatics will be taught as a compulsory course. As far as teacher training is concerned there does exist limited pre-service training on computers, but this usually is limited to two hours per week.
Instruction focuses on how to use computers and on their importance in the information society.
At the in-service training level teachers are taught how to utilize the computer as a tool for teaching various subjects ranging from math to the social sciences. Two essential literacies necessary for education in the 21st Century are networked computing and written English. Experience shows that in-service training can never be often enough or long enough. But unlike conversational English, where much outside help was needed, schoolteachers can learn to teach by experimentation if the two literacies of networked computing and written English are made national goals for Integrated Studies courses from the 5th to 6th grades and for Information-related courses from junior high school onwards. I don't think it is necessary for us to introduce computer education into general educational programs.