b. Deciding Whether to Use ICT

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

• Use discussion on the range of topics only, and not use any ICT (or other technology) at all.
• Use a word processor package to create worksheets for the topics, perhaps placing some images into the worksheets to promote discussion.
• Use some video or print material, perhaps showing different perspectives on the range of topics.
• Use a CD ROM to have students gather information on the topics to form the basis of discussion.
• Use the World Wide Web to gather information, especially on background and more up to date relevant information and to gather information from a variety of points of view. The problem with this option is that source materials are likely to be in English, so the students will be displaying further language skills.
• Have pupils present their arguments using PowerPoint or another presentation package.

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 the recently published print and broadcast material?
• What are the pitfalls as you see them to using the World Wide Web to gather background information?
• Look again at the objectives for this case study - do you think any of them match up with the options listed?

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

c. Selecting ICT Resources