1. ICT and learning

2. ICT and learning Online tutorials Online assessments
Virtual learning environments.

3. Online tutorials Use ICT for learning.
Contain content to instruct students.
Simulations allow students to see what happens in different situations.
Animations help students understand how things work.
Self-tests let students know how much they have learnt.

4. Advantages of online tutorials
Flexibility as to where and when students learn.
Materials make use of multimedia.
Materials can be accessed with lots of devices.
Can learn in a car, while out running, etc.
Keeps students using them interested and motivated by the variety of activities.
Students can work at their own pace.
It does not matter if you get things wrong - the computer will not judge you.

5. Disadvantages of online tutorials
The software is often complex and uses lots of animation and graphics, which makes it expensive.
Students often need the interaction of their classmates in order to learn.
Can present an opportunity for students to have a break rather than work on the online tutorial.
It is hard for teachers to gauge progress using some of the packages.
Lack of flexibility as human teachers can explain things in different ways to help you.

6. Online assessment Exams and tests performed on the computer.
The computer marks your work and gives you your results.

7. Advantages of online assessment
The results are obtained immediately.
You can analyse what you did well on and what you did less well on, so you can target your revision.
Frees up teacher time, as there are no assessments to mark.

8. Disadvantages of online assessment
Danger of hackers accessing the system and changing marks.
Reliance on equipment that may go wrong.
Only suitable for certain types of assessment as it would be hard to get a computer to mark an essay.

9. Virtual learning environments (VLEs)
Main features are:
Student assessments.
Allow teachers to add their own content.
Allow teachers and students to communicate with each other.
Students can submit work electronically.
Teachers can mark and return work electronically.
Teachers can set homework tailored for each student.

10. Advantages of VLEs
Students can access the VLE using any computer or portable device that will connect to the Internet.
Learning can take place at any time – the student is not restricted to learning only in lessons.
Students can assess themselves at any time – this makes them feel more responsible for their own learning and progress.
Individualized learning – students can do work that is more closely matched to their ability. They do not have to wait for others to catch up with them.

11. Disadvantages of VLEs The software is very expensive.
There is a danger of hackers altering reports, test marks, etc.
Staff need a lot of training to use them.
Entering content can be time consuming.