Design of a sustainable information technologies curriculum development model and a study of its effectiveness

Fast-growing information and communication technologies are being used in numerous fields today. This new situation requires training individuals who can grasp contemporary technological knowledge and use them efficiently. Information and communication technologies education, one of the teaching-education processes, must be used to serve this purpose. Therefore, information and communication technologies curricula must be designed well and adapted to changing conditions. This study aims to construct a program development model for information technologies curriculum. While developing the model, the author studied the relevant literature as well as information and communication technologies program development processes and teaching programs from Turkey, Canada, England, Australia, Ireland, Finland, China, Hong Kong, New Zealand, the U.S.A. and Japan and resorted to the views of teachers, students and scholars on Secondary School Information Technologies Curriculum used in Turkey and the structured model. At the end of this study, a "Development Model for a Sustainable Information Technologies Curriculum (DEMSITEC)" was designed. Then, 6th grade information technologies course curriculum was designed and applied for 4 weeks according to this model and views of experts. Study findings show that teachers and scholars find the model useful and suitable. After applying the curriculum based on this model, it was observed that the program increased the efficiency of courses by overcoming current problems, enabling flexibility, updatability, intelligibility and meeting student and teacher needs and expectations. It is suggested that this model be used for other grades for longer periods and repetitive process be tested. Keywords: Information Technologies Education, Dynamic and Sustainable Model, Curriculum Development Model in Education