b. Deciding Whether to Use ICT

There seems to be a wide range of options for dealing with this topic. The teacher could:

• Chalk and talk only, and not use any ICT (or other technology) at all.
• Use a database or statistical package.
• Use a word processor to create questionnaires for collecting data.
• Use a video to present students with a case study demonstrating the practicalities of collecting and analysing data.
• Use a CD-ROM to gather data.
• Use the World Wide Web to gather data.
• Use e-mail to share data and communicate with colleagues to share ideas and good practice.

Of course, any combination of the options is also possible, but we shall discuss them all, and your work will involve using several of the options alone and together.

Questions for Consideration

• How many of the options above do you feel comfortable about at the moment, and could you suggest any others?
• What are the benefits to using recently published print and broadcast data?
• How would you collect the data - identify the advantages of primary research?
• What are the pitfalls as you see them to using the World Wide Web for example data?
• Look again at the objectives for this case study - how do they equate with the options listed?

Keep a short record of your responses to these questions for discussion with your mentor.

c. Selecting ICT Resources