David Ashley Owen BSc

Independent Study: Does the use of Information Learning Technology enhance learning?
PGCE Year 2
Karin Wisenden

Does the use of Information Learning Technology enhance learning?

“Technology and social media are transforming our lives and are beginning to transform the way we teach
and learn”

(LLUK, 2010 [Online])

We live an age where the computer is king, it is almost impossible to avoid the computer, from desktops to
laptops to mobile phones to washing machines. We have become accustomed to having access to a
computer and in more recent year’s access to the internet. There has been an explosion in internet use in
recent years and with the development of social networking sites and a myriad of online services, it seems
only logical and natural that the computer should take its rightful place in the classroom.

Lifelong Learning UK (2010) stated that:

“Over the last 20 years the proportion of people using IT in their jobs has nearly doubled to 77%, with an
estimated 22 million people using technology at work”

(LLUK, 2010 [Online])

“Adults who are able to use ICT are 25% more confident about finding a job than non-ICT users”

(LLUK, 2010 [Online])

It is clear that from the statements made my LLUK (2010) that IT has become more prominent in the work
place, and identifies that adults who are comfortable with using ICT are more confident about finding
employment. It seems logical that as ICT is prominent in the work place it should be prominent in the
classroom.

During my education and practice I have seen the integration of technology in the classroom, while at sixth
from my school integrated smart boards and digital projectors. During my practice I have used a Virtual
Learning Environment (VLE) called Moodle, this is a web environment where I am able to post lecture notes
and tasks, it provides students with the ability to submit work online. I am able to integrate video, graphics
and text to provide sensory experience for the learner. The benefit of the VLE is clear to me; it allows
students to access learning material at their convenience and at any location with an internet connection
and makes communication easier and more efficient.

There is an increasing body of evidence that indicates that Information Learning Technology (ILT) motivates
the learner and creates a sense of control for the learner over their own learning. It suggests that the use

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David Ashley Owen BSc
Independent Study: Does the use of Information Learning Technology enhance learning?
PGCE Year 2
Karin Wisenden

of ILT makes the job of the teacher easier by providing effective tools for communication and making
administration of learners more efficient and easier.

The Government has commissioned numerous reports over the last decade to assess if and how ILT can
provide benefits in education. The most recent reports are: “Improving Scottish Education ICT in Learning”
and “Teaching and Enhancing learning with Information and Communication Technology in Higher
Education”

The Government have established and executive agency named BECTA to research, manage and evaluate
the effectiveness of the application of ICT in educational institutions.

A recent statement by BECTA (2010) stated that:

“76% of work based learning providers who have introduced a single learner management and VLE system
reports is has improved learner support and 66% of them also report that the system has helped learner
outcomes”

“64% of FE colleges and 52% and of worked based learning practitioners report that that the use of
technology has increased the choice of methods of learning for learners”

(BECTA, 2010 [Online])

It is clear from the statistics produced by BECTA (2010) that the introduction of a VLE is of benefit with over
three quarters of providers having introduced a VLE and two thirds of those who have introduced a VLE the
systems helped learner outcomes. This suggests that the introduction of a virtual environment where
learners can access resources and communicate with tutors has a positive impact for the learner. During
my practice it has become evident to me that learners are comfortable in using a virtual environment.
Learners are accustomed to using social networking sites and communicating via the internet through email
and instant message and blogging. It is logical that the best pieces of these innovations in communication
and social interaction should be integrated into the learning process. The statement from BECTA stated
that 64% of colleges have reported that using a VLE has increased the choice of learning methods, this a
salient point as it indicates that technology can widen participation by allowing the user to manipulate the
learning environment to suit their needs.

Reece and Walker (2007) suggest that all students are individuals and no two students learn in the same
way. I would agree with this observation. Students are individual and should be treated as such, in an ideal
scenario lessons would be prepared and delivered to a group and tailored to the needs of every student in
that group. In reality this is not always possible and the lessons must be delivered to meet most of the

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David Ashley Owen BSc
Independent Study: Does the use of Information Learning Technology enhance learning?
PGCE Year 2
Karin Wisenden

needs of the group. Using ILT can offer a partial solution to this dilemma, by using a range of traditional
teaching methods and integrating ILT whether it be a multimedia presentation or VLE with embedded
graphics, video and text. The students can manipulate the environment to meet their learning style and
gain an effective learning experience.

The Scottish Government commissioned a report in 2007 entitled “Improving Scottish Education ICT in
learning and teaching”. The report investigated and made conclusions on the impact of ILT on learners.
The report investigated the strategic factors such as polices and planning, infrastructure and the confidence
and competence of teaching staff. The report also looked at how ILT was being used and what the impact
was.

Support from education authorities is vital. Firstly an authority must develop a policy on ICT and how it
should be delivered to educational institutions and how the equipment and infrastructure will be funded
and distributed. The Improving Scottish Education ICT on learning and teaching (2007) identified that:

“All education authorities fully accepted their role in taking a lead in policy and planning for ICT in
education in their areas. In all cases, the authority took responsibility for planning the wider aspect of
infrastructure such as network equipment, connection to the internet and services for learners and
teaching staff. Under arrangements for devolved management of schools, head teachers generally had
responsibility for ICT equipment and software”

(Improving Scottish Education ICT on learning and teaching, 2007, pp2)

The excerpt from the report clearly identifies that close working relationships need to be established
between education authorities and educational institutions. The report discussed the importance
education authorities giving ILT the recognition and the financial backing needed to be successful. The
report suggested that general requirements such as network infrastructure and providing access to internet
services could be achieved at the central level, but ILT equipment and software should be the responsibility
of educational institutions. I believe that allowing the individual educational institutions to manage the
procurement of their ILT equipment to be a sound strategy as it allows some degree of autonomy in the
direction of the institutions ILT policy within a wider regional and national strategy.

The report discussed the importance of factors that affect the use of ICT for teaching and learning in the
wider context and these factors include: policy and planning, infrastructure and resources, management of
learner’s access to digital content and confidence and competence of teaching staff.

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David Ashley Owen BSc
Independent Study: Does the use of Information Learning Technology enhance learning?
PGCE Year 2
Karin Wisenden

The benefits of using ILT in the educational environment lies in part with the learners willingness to engage
and use the services and facilities made available, but also with the ability, skill and willingness of the
practitioner to use the tools and do so with confidence.

The Improving Scottish Education ICT on learning and teaching (2007) report suggest that:

“The confidence and competence of teaching staff in their use of ICT had improved in recent years and
many staff were now using ICT effectively in their teaching”

(Improving Scottish Education ICT on learning and teaching, 2007, pp24)

This statement is encouraging, as ILT is a resource that if used effectively will enhance learning and will
have a beneficial impact. As new technology and different ways of teaching enter the classroom,
practitioners need support and encouragement to use these new resources to their potential. It is highly
important to invest the time and effort in training and developing practitioners in their use of ILT, for one of
two reasons. Firstly it aids the practitioner in their professional practice, and secondly, it provides learners
with a richer learning experience if the practitioner is competent in their use of ILT, as it opens another
dimension to the learning sphere.

The Improving Scottish Education ICT on learning and teaching (2007) report suggested that some of the
factors influencing practitioners to use ILT were:

 Teaching staff had greater access to computers both at home and in school, college or community
centre
 A increasing useful range of software for learning and teaching was available
 Teaching staff had greater opportunities to engage in CPD to enhance their confidence and
competence in the use of ICT

(Improving Scottish Education ICT on learning and teaching, 2007, pp24)

As ILT equipment becomes more readily available to practitioners as does software that aids teaching and
learning, so do the opportunities to engage in continued professional development. Practitioners are able
to develop their skills and use the wider variety of equipment and software available to them. This is where
we see the efforts of policy makers and planners come into fruition with the practitioners at the sharp end.

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David Ashley Owen BSc
Independent Study: Does the use of Information Learning Technology enhance learning?
PGCE Year 2
Karin Wisenden

The Improving Scottish Education ICT on learning and teaching (2007) report concluded that:

 The use of ICT has a positive influence in promoting learner motivation and engagement
 There is an improved learning across a range of subjects through the use of ICT
 Learners wider achievement is improved and enhanced through ICT

In conclusion it can be said that the use of ILT enhances learning and has a beneficial impact on the learner.
The Improving Scottish Education ICT on learning and teaching report has highlighted that learner
motivation and engagement is positively influenced, and that their wider achievement is improved and
enhanced. LLUK has noted that there has been a significant increase the number of people using ICT in
their workplaces and that adults are more confident about gaining employment with IT skills. The research
has demonstrated that there is a clear link between the competence of the practitioner in using ILT and the
effect it has on the learner, in general teaching staff are more at ease with ILT and are prepared to
incorporate it into lessons, as it aids them with their professional development. BECTA has noted that the
use of VLE has a positive impact on the learner, and opens a broad range of opportunities to learn using
different methods. It has been evidenced that education authorities need to support the development of
an ICT policy and make appropriate resources available and have plans in place to ensure that local
strategies and deployed in line with Government policy.

On balance the application of ILT enhances learning, as we now live in the world of computer, and they are
here to stay, they need to take their rightful place in the classroom.

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David Ashley Owen BSc
Independent Study: Does the use of Information Learning Technology enhance learning?
PGCE Year 2
Karin Wisenden

References

BECTA (2010) ‘Use and implementation of technology in the FE and Skills sector’ BECTA [online] Available
from: www.policy.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=polb&rid=15049&print=1 Accessed 26/04/10

HM Inspectorate of Education (2007) ‘Improving Scottish Education ICT in learning and teaching’ HMIE

LLUK (2010) ‘Technology Enhances Learning’ Lifelong Learning UK [online] Available from:
www.lluk.org/3088.htm Accessed 21/05/2010

Reece, I. Walker, S. (2007), Teaching, training & learning A practical guide, Sixth Edition, Tyne and
Wear UK, Business Education Publishers

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David Ashley Owen BSc
Independent Study: Does the use of Information Learning Technology enhance learning?
PGCE Year 2
Karin Wisenden

Bibliography

BBC (2010) ‘Moving beyond the whiteboard’ [online] Available from:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8471151.stm Accessed 25/01/10

BECTA (2010) ‘Investigating ILT best practice and implementing new and emerging technologies on the FE
sector’ [online] Available from: http://research.becta.org.uk/index.php?
section=rh&catcode=_re_rp_02&rid=1682 Accessed 25/04/2010

Department for Education and Skills (2004) ‘Enhancing learning with Information and Communication
Technology in Higher Education, The Stationary Office

Learning and Skills Network (2007) ‘Professional development framework for e-learning a guide for adviser
and practitioners’ Learning and Skills Network

Teachers TV (2010) ‘ICT A Vision of the Future’ Teachers TV [online] Video: ICT A Vision of the Future
[online] Available from www.teachers.tv/videos/221 Accessed 21/05/2010

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