c. Helping Learners Develop their own IT Capabilities

The main focus of the teaching in this case study has been finding out about the energy composition of different foods. In using ICT to help with the teaching and learning of these matters, pupils should develop aspects of their own IT capability. If pupils used all possible resources - and maybe one or two extra that you thought of - the very least they would have developed is the following range:

• Loading software - a CD-ROM
• Accessing the World Wide Web
• Searching for information - on the CD-ROM or the World Wide Web
• Refining their searching skills, through searching for particular information on a CD-ROM and/or WWW
• Basic skills of mouse and keyboard manipulation
• Printing - if the pupil was allowed to print from the CD or the World Wide Web
• Using a word processor - if pupils undertook copy and paste activities
• Practising their skills in recording information systematically and clearly using word processing

Questions for Consideration

• What pupils are doing with ICT in the tasks you have set them.
• Whether what they are doing is a routine such as moving a mouse, a technique where they have to follow steps or a higher order skill where they have to plan and make decisions.
• The ways in which the demands of the work have increased from what has been expected previously.
• How you are going to support the pupils in learning from the challenges you set them.
• The areas of the IT curriculum at the pupil's key stage to see whether work you are doing with him or her can be linked to learning in the IT area.

You should keep a note of your responses for discussion with your mentor.

d. Assessing Learning