Int. J. Technology Enhanced Learning, Vol. 1, No. 4, 2009 327 Copyright © 2009 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. The new informatics technologies in education debate Prudenciano Moreno-Moreno* Universidad Pedagógica Nacional, Área I, Política Educativa, Carretera al Ajusco, No. 24, Col. Héroes de Padierna, México, D.F., 14200, Mexico E-mail: pmoreno@ajusco.upn.mx *Corresponding author Cornelio Yáñez-Márquez Centro de Investigación en Computación, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. Juan de Dios Bátiz s/n, México, D.F., 07738, México E-mail: cyanez@cic.ipn.mx Olmo Alonso Moreno-Franco Cuerpo de Investigación en Sistemas Digitales, Instituto Tecnológico de Mérida, Av. Tecnológico km. 4.5, Mérida, Yucatán, 97118, México E-mail: kingalo@ciesd.net Abstract: The current paper is focused on the evolution and future of discussions on the application of information technologies on education and pedagogy from a conceptual perspective. The analysed debate revolves around those who back new communication and information technologies (NCITs) as a technical-functional expression of modernity (the accolatory); and the opposites (the dismissive), both post-modern – simply critics and sceptics – and anti-modern, decidedly contrary to the use of NCITs. Finally, we conclude with a proposal of conciliation of all the above positions into a new educative vision, trans-modern or meta-modern, based on the advances of the so-called ‘integral theory of the whole’. Keywords: computational education; informatics; pedagogic; new communication and information technologies; NTICs. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Moreno-Moreno, P., Yáñez-Márquez, C. and Moreno-Franco, O.A. (2009) ‘The new informatics technologies in education debate’, Int. J. Technology Enhanced Learning, Vol. 1, No. 4, pp.327–341. Biographical notes: Prudenciano Moreno-Moreno holds a PhD in Economy of Technology Science by the Mexican Autonomous National University (1992), and a Masters degree in Latin Studies by the Social and Political Sciences Faculty in 1989. He won the National Prize in Economics in 1980 with his thesis work: Economic Development of the Sector 1 (Production Medium) and Accumulation of Capital in Mexico: 1940–1980. He is a full time Researcher-Professor at the National Pedagogic University.