Preparatory knowledge: propaedeutic in informatics

In the recent past a number of concepts have achieved prominence in the quest for basic principles of informatics with long-term validity. Particularly at schools providing an all-round education, it makes sense – and is necessary – to concentrate on basic concepts. The fact is that strictly product-related knowledge is inadequate, and in some cases already obsolete before pupils leave school. A more systematic grasp of these concepts and their interrelations is therefore not just desirable, but essential. Some of these “unchanging values” in informatics are briefly introduced here, and it is shown how they can be, first, made more comprehensible by means of applets, and second, put to work in teaching right now, in conjunction with eLearning.