ITGS as a part of the IB Diploma Programme
While the IB Diploma Programme has many distinctive elements, ITGS (along with Theory of Knowledge) is one of the subjects that is the least well understood. Unlike more familiar school subjects it is inherently interdisciplinary, emphasises social / ethical issues, and yet requires enough technical knowledge to make judgements about the use of technology. This multi‐faceted focus on critical 21st century issues makes ITGS relevant and exciting for students.
ITGS is a subject that:
• Focuses on the systematic and critical study of human experience and behaviour relating to the relationship between human beings and information and communication technologies (IT systems).
• Requires students to have sufficient technical knowledge of IT systems to be able to make informed decisions about their use (digital wisdom in contrast to digital literacy).
• Discusses the moral and ethical issues leading to informed decisions being made about the development, implementation, use and disposal of IT systems.
• Discusses the social impacts that may result from the development, implementation, use and disposal of IT systems.
• Requires students to be able to competently use a range of digital technologies (digital literacy).
ITGS, which is focussed on the social impacts of IT systems, is significantly different to Computer Science which is focused on the fundamental concepts of computational thinking that utilise an experimental and inquiry‐based approach to problem solving.
For students ITGS is a valuable course. Developments in IT systems have effectively created a second industrial revolution. As the relationship between human beings and IT systems continues to evolve, ITGS will provide young people with the tools to address the effects of this revolution. Furthermore, ITGS will also uniquely prepare young people with the wisdom to be informed and responsible citizens of tomorrow.
Below you can find all the documents provided by the IB regarding ITGS:
* Much of the information above has been taken from the IBO website
ITGS 