There is a growing body of evidence that use of ICT in the classroom can enhance learning (Meiers, 2009).  Computer-based multimedia learning environments - consisting of images, text and sound - offer a potentially powerful setting for improving student understanding.  The most substantial gains in pupil attainment are achievable where the use of ICT is planned, structured and integrated effectively.  Also, teachers need to be aware that there are times when the use of ICT is appropriate for a particular task and other times when different media are more appropriate.References:

Meiers, M. (2009). The use of ICTs in schools in the digital age: what does the research say? NSWIT Digest, 2009(1).

http://www.nswteachers.nsw.edu.au (retrieved February 23, 2009)

Links to Multimedia Resources

General

The Learning Federation

The Le@rning Federation is a collaborative initiative of all Australian and New Zealand governments and develops digital curriculum content for all Australian and New Zealand schools. The content is free and is developed specifically to support students' learning of key concepts and skills detailed in all Australian and New Zealand curriculum documents.  The section ‘For Teachers’ provides materials, ideas and sample curriculum content for use in the classroom.

http://www.thelearningfederation.edu.au/default.asp (retrieved March 5, 2009)

Edumall. Teaching and Learning

This website has been developed by the Ministry of Education, Singapore.  Several useful links are provided including one to ‘Syllabus specific resources’ and another to ‘Other educational resources’.  The section, ‘Syllabus specific resources’, is organised by primary, stages four (lower secondary), five (‘O’ Level) and six (‘A’ Level).   The section, ‘Other educational resources’, has links to various resources such as Einstein Light (Australia), Discover (USA) and BBC Schools (UK).

http://moeuxwp03.moe.gov.sg/edumall/index.htm (retrieved March 5, 2009)

Aboriginal studies

“Making a difference. David Unaipon”

Students learn about the life of David Unaipon, an Indigenous Australian who was a widely respected inventor, writer and public speaker.  He is featured on the Australian fifty dollar note.  A number of statements are provided in an on-line notebook.  Students respond to these statements, reflecting on what they have learnt and recording their thoughts, drawing evidence from the source material.

http://www.thelearningfederation.edu.au/for_teachers/sample_curriculum_content/tm_-_indigenous.html (retrieved March 5, 2009) 

English and literacy

“Lights, camera, action: sound”

Years 5 to 9

Students learn that sound is an important tool used by filmmakers to help tell a story.  Students then provide the sound track for some film scenes.  They are introduced to the concepts of film terms, genres, sound effects and music.  Formative assessment of their learning is provided through a multiple choice test.  Students cannot progress to the next stage until they demonstrate mastery of learning.

http://www.thelearningfederation.edu.au/for_teachers/sample_curriculum_content/tm_-_english_and_literacy.html (retrieved March 5, 2009)

“Fashion design.  Market research”

Years 5 to 9

Students learn about market research.  A pronunciation of key terminology is provided. Students are introduced to the concepts of conducting surveys and interviews, creating customer profiles and presenting information.  They are required to analyse the data collected and present the findings coherently.  They also learn about the role a market researcher plays within a fashion design company.

http://www.thelearningfederation.edu.au/for_teachers/sample_curriculum_content/tm_-_english_and_literacy.html (retrieved March 5, 2009) 

History

“Making a difference: Barak”

Years 9 and 10

Students learn about the life of Barak, an Indigenous Australian who was an artist and a spokesperson for Indigenous rights and culture.  Students are required to reflect on what they learn and record their thoughts and feelings in an on-line notebook.  The notebook provides a number of statements and students respond to these on a Likert scale based on evidence found in the source material.

http://www.thelearningfederation.edu.au/for_teachers/sample_curriculum_content/tm_-_australian_history.html (retrieved March 5, 2009) 

Mathematics

“Scatter Plots”

Years 5 to 9

Students are introduced to the features of scatter plot graphs and learn how to construct and interpret them. They are required to enter their personal data and plot it with other data on a graph. They use a line of best fit to identify if there is a positive or negative relationship between the two variables.

http://www.thelearningfederation.edu.au/for_teachers/sample_curriculum_content/tm_-_maths.html (retrieved March 5, 2009)

“Trigonometry: measuring with triangles”

Years 7 to 9

Students learn how the ancient Egyptians and Greeks both used similar right-angle triangles to solve many different measurement problems.  Students explore the use of equivalent ratios to calculate the lengths of a triangle's sides, the height of an object or the length of a shadow. They then explore the properties of similar isosceles right-angled triangles in order to calculate unknown values.

http://www.thelearningfederation.edu.au/for_teachers/sample_curriculum_content/tm_-_maths.html (retrieved March 5, 2009)  

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

“Teens Health”

Years 7 to 10

The site provides users with perspective, advice, and comfort about a wide range of physical, emotional, and behavioural issues that affect children and teens. Developed by The Nemours Foundation, this site aims to provide relevant, practical and understandable information to its users.  KidsHealth is the most-visited site on the Web for information about health, behaviour, and development from before birth through the teen years.

http://kidshealth.org/teen/ (retrieved March 5, 2009) 

Science

“Tectonic Boundaries”

Years 9 – 10

This site presents an interactive map displaying the major tectonic plates.  Students investigate the boundaries between them and learn how energy released by the separation, collision or sliding of plates affects the Earth’s surface.  Students’ understanding is tested through multiple choice questions.

http://www.thelearningfederation.edu.au/for_teachers/sample_curriculum_content/tm_-_science.html (retreived June 19, 2009)

 Visual Arts

“Directional design: cafeteria chair”

Years 9 and 10

Students are required to design an environmentally friendly chair. They are given a design brief and description of the methods, materials and mission. They are given input from the stakeholders or clients then must design the most suitable chair by selecting the shell, frame, materials, colour and finish from a number of choices. Clients provide feedback on the final design.

http://www.thelearningfederation.edu.au/for_teachers/sample_curriculum_content/tm_-_arts_and_design.html (retrieved March 5, 2009)

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