At its best, the use of ICT throughout the curriculum enriches learning experiences. It can provide a medium by which students feel confident expressing themselves and can help teachers to illustrate concepts in a way that captures the imagination. At its worst it can be an unwelcome distraction, a needless complication that can turn any class into an ICT lesson and leave teachers feeling out of their depth. 

Pupils are becoming increasingly technology savvy. Out of school, many of their interests and hobbies involve ICT at some level. It’s inclusion throughout the curriculum is an essential tool that encourages pupil participation whilst helping them to gain some of the core skills required within a modern
workplace.

The equipment & software resources should be easy to learn whilst developing pupils’ existing ICT skills, keeping the subject at the centre of the lesson.

History

Video

Video develops students abilities to work as a team, communicate, plan, organise and think laterally. Camcorders are easy to operate and basic editing software like iMovie allows you to upload your footage on to a computer. Drag the clips you want to use onto a timeline in the right order and you’re away. If editing sounds like a step too far, why not try making a film all in one go and uploading it as it is?

The concept that some sources are more valid than others can be alien to students. Video can illustrate the importance of a critical approach to sources as well as helping students to remember facts.  Split the class into two groups and task them with making a news broadcast about the outbreak of the Second World War. Using various sources, one group should make the video from the German point of view and one from the English. They should announce the outbreak of war, explain why it has come about and appeal for people to join their respective armies.

When the videos are completed the class can watch them both and see what a difference perspective can make. They can also be uploaded to YouTube or your school website giving parents an insight into what their children do all day and providing students with memorable revision material.

Design

Design is all about the effective presentation of information. Drawing attention to the most important aspects of a topic while clearly and accurately conveying the rest of the information is an invaluable skill.

In history lessons, design programs such as QuarkXpress or InDesign can be used to create:

• A realistic newspaper page for any event
• Representations of medical text books from across the ages
• A brochure for the British army in WWI telling
  new recruits what to expect