Computer modelling and the curriculum -- integrated or loosely attached?

This paper examines from a number of perspectives a small research project that involved the development and evaluation of a crosscurricular course in computer modelling. It sets out briefly the context, design and results of the project in order both to explain the potential of computer modelling activities in learning to represent quantitative variation, and also to highlight the need to develop teachers' pedagogical practices. The role of information technology (IT) in providing support for generic modelling skills is discussed, and theories of teachers' knowledge growth are used to analyse the challenges for professional development in IT, particularly concerning matters that are relevant to more than one discipline. Conclusions are drawn concerning the need to integrate curriculum development, professional development and different areas of expertise in educational computing research if teachers are to be adequately supported in integrating IT into their teaching, rather than merely attaching it to their existing curricula