Computer-assisted Information and Guidance
Petre BOTNARIUC
Institute of Educational Sciences, BucharestHistory
Information has been one of the most widespread functions of computers ever since the
first applications of information and communications technology. But it was first fully
exploited as a consequence of the development of technology and computer network
infrastructure (the United States, 1968). These allowed the immediate transmission of
information at minimal costs between any two points connected by Internet on the globe.
In 1995 the Internet had 40 million users with a 20 second increase rate per subscriber
(Compagnon, 2000). It is currently estimated that there are a few hundred million faithful
users of the Internet, the percentage of regular computer users being on the increase, and
ICT competence has become an essential indicator of general competence.
Theoretical background
Information technology can make the process of information transmission and
presentation more efficient for several reasons: automatic design, fast multiplication and
transmission at minimal costs, and increased security; interactive, friendly and
personalized interfaces that will increase effectiveness of the information process.
Information in career can be performed through asynchronic technologies such as web
pages, web forums, e-mail, and synchronic technologies such as chat, videoconference, or
telephone conversation. The contents of a web page can be accessed either online as