Information and Communication Technologies in Chilean Schools, from Enlaces to the Present Day

Synonyms

Education; Equity; History; Implementation; Information; Policy; Program; Reforms; Teaching; Technology

Introduction

The use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in education has, for a while now, generated extensive interest as well as being attributed to have an important role in education. Therefore, the introduction of ICTs in education is no longer a new concept, at least in industrialized and developing countries. However, the path taken by those that decide to introduce ICTs in education vary and so does the reasoning. Chile’s journey was in itself unique given that prior to 1990, Chile had minimal exposure to ICTs in education, that is, no massification of ICTs in primary and secondary levels of education. There was of course, well before the 1990s, a limited exposure to computers at higher education levels. In fact, since 1968, courses were offered by the four main universities in computer programming. On the other hand, at the business level, computers...