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Making a case for computer literacy: the German Informatics Society and the emerging field of computer education, late 1960s–early 1990s

2024/10/10 by Carmen Flury, Michael Geiss · 1 voice
Computer Science · Arts and Humanities · #History of Computing Technologies #Art, Technology, and Culture #Libraries and Information Services

paper · pdf · doi:10.1080/00309230.2024.2409429

openalex publication_date 2024/10/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/15

Abstract

This article examines the historical contribution of the German Informatics Society (GI) to the establishment of computer education in German schools. It highlights the role of societal interests, international developments, public and professional debates, and technological change in the GI’s educational policy recommendations. The historical source base consists of conference proceedings, position papers and other publications by key actors within and outside the GI. Methodologically, the article refers to the concept of strategic fields of action. The article shows how the GI’s understanding of computer science played an important role in its initial policy recommendations. With increasing computerisation and then the World Wide Web, the GI had to adapt its recommendations to the now more complex situation in Germany and the polyphonic debate.

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