VLE (Virtual Learning Environment)

• Classes can run with small number of pupils.

• Potential cost saving to schools as it may be possible to teach 2 classes at the same time so therefore saving staffing costs

• Saves pupil travel costs

• Can work at their own pace as long as they are motivated

• Diminish literacy – texting, not writing in full English or copying and pasting so not developing writing skills.

• Pupils must be motivated to achieve their goals.

• Most pupils have a VLE where they must login to it via the Internet. Many universities use the 'Blackboard' VLE system. Id there are broadband problems, e.g. communication failures then students will not be able to access their online university materials.

Chat rooms/forums for learning

• Pupils can post questions and due to shared expertise they can be given solutions to their problems.

• Pupils can work at their own pace

Broadband problems e.g. if there are communication network failures then pupils will not be able to access online forums and post questions

Distance learning.

• Students don’t have to travel / can work at home/ empowers disabled

• Can access more courses / allows access to courses not taught in your school.

• Flexibility of time.

• Lack of personal support (close at hand) / immediacy / no peer interaction

• Need for equipment at home.

Online learning/ e-learning

Revision programs eg. GCSE bite size

Revision websites

• Special adaptations can be built in / Can target specific areas.

• Materials provided in different formats such as text, voice, video, animations.

• Have flexibility as to where and when they work, at home, in car, out walking/running.

• Variety of activities can motivate and maintain interest.

• Can access material using different hardware e.g. laptop, mobile phone, mp3 player, tablet. (Exam tip: No brand names).

• Lack of personal support (close at hand) / no peer interaction.

• Cost of software/specialist hardware.

• No collaborative learning

Online Tests

• Available at any time.

• Revisit when you need to.

• Multilingual support

• No collaborative learning

CAL a computer package which allows a student to study using a computer system

Math's programs

Art and design programs

Phonics software for early reading

• Pupils work at own pace.

• Good for pupils with learning difficulties. (customisation)

• Pupils respond better to automated feedback.

• Can gauge their own progress / instant feedback / automatic marking.

• Engaging screens - colour/ animation/ sound/video.

• Automatic generation of progress reports.

Specific advantage -

Through the use of ICT based phonics books, clear connections can be made between sounds and letters on a page

• Lack of personal support (close at hand) / no peer interaction.

• Cost of software/specialist hardware.

• No collaborative learning.

NOTE: same answers cannot be credited twice

Specific disadvantage

Digital voice may not be as clear as human sound

Virtual and augmented reality

By making the learning more engaging, studies have identified that virtual reality can also be used to engage those who have previously lacked confidence in education or struggled to become involved. This can be really beneficial as emotional rewards are a huge and invaluable incentive for students, which can encourage studying even more.

Reduces bullying

Some studies suggest that mobile phones are negatively affecting the social skills of students – could the same be true for virtual reality? By reducing situations where students will be working alongside their peers, will this affect preparing them for further education, their careers and becoming business leaders?

Computer Based Training (CBT) a sophisticated way of learning with help from ICT e.g. electronics

Software dedicated to learning how to use software/device

Use of a flight simulator - Can be safer than crashing a plane

Software can be very expensive to buy

Can need a lot of processing power

Internet

To research topics

Email companies for information

Many varied resources not available in school

To store information that saves the cost of printing

Email can be sent anywhere in the world, cheaper than the normal post, once you have a network.

Files can be attached to an email which could be in the form of video, sound, reports or presentations.

Document can be sent to a group of people at the same time.

BCC (Blind Carbon Copy), one of the recipients can receive the documents without the others knowing, for security

If you don’t refine searches may have to search through many website links which is time consuming

Not all information is correct

Viruses can be spread across networks; hacking and phishing.

Broadband problems e.g. if there is a communication failure then you will not be able to access your e-mail account.

Cameras/video/DVD

Recording lessons

• Media projects such as plays can be enacted and brought to life

• DVDs can be easily paused and reviewed to analyse.

• Discussion of the ways that film texts are put together, for example decisions made by the director about camera angles etc.

• Catching up missed lessons

• More suitable for visual lessons

• Cost of software/specialist hardware.

• Some pupils may use them inappropriately and waste time.

Voting Systems

• Voting systems allow pupils to actively participate in lessons by sending responses to questions or discussion topics via an electronic keypad.

• Multiple choice answers can be carried out and results recorded instantly for assessment and monitoring purposes.

• Cost of software/specialist hardware.

• Time consuming to set up.

Educational Expert system

• The computer can store far more information than a human.

• no loss of expertise

• Use of simulations

• The computer does not 'forget' or make mistakes.

• Data can be kept up-to-date

• The expert system is always available 24 hours a day

• The system can be used at a distance over a network.

• Lack of personal contact

• Over reliance

• Dependent upon the correct rules and relationships being programmed in the first place.

• If rules wrong, the wrong advice could be given. GIGO :Incorrect data could be given leading to incorrect response

• Expert systems have no "common sense"

Hardware

3D printers

CAD/CAM machines e.g. sewing machines

Use of small devices e.g. smartphones etc

• Create 3D models and view results from all sides

• Can edit designs before sewing

• Makes pupils more confident and flexibility / builds pupil confidence

• Cost of purchasing equipment

• Devices could be monitored

Authoring software

Sound

Word-processing

There are many products available to help with sentence writing skills, such as Textease or Clicker

• Audacity) is a free piece of software, that allows the recording and editing of sound

• Some have speech facilities to help pupils check their work.

• Has tools such as spellcheckers and thesauruses to improve spelling

• Makes sequencing words easier.

• Takes time to learn

• Cost of software/ Too general

Interactive whiteboards

e.g. maths programs or teaching physical geography

• IWB technology uses a variety of resources sound, video, animation to engage a pupils attention and

• Encourage responses and interaction

• Lessons and pupils work can be saved

• Cost of purchasing equipment