Abstract
The UNESCO curriculum of informatics for secondary education is compared with that for high school students by Nishinosono et al. (1995). Based on this comparison, we suggest what is desirable for Japanese high school students. The most basic course in informatics should be required of all students. There should be two main objectives in the required course: developing a good understanding of the foundations of computer science and the relation between society and information. The foundations of computer science, in this case, mean the use of systematic problem solving methods such as modelling or applying formal algorithms in the broadest sense. This corresponds to the emphasis on practice in problem solving in the UNESCO curriculum. In the relation between society and information, students are expected to grasp some advanced understanding of the morality of the information society and the social influences of information technology. This is thought to be most appropriate to be taught at the high school level because of the required maturity of students.
