Discussion papers

http://www.futurelab.org.uk/resources/publications_reports_articles/discussion_papers
Exploring new ideas in an informal format, these papers aim to raise questions and prompt debate.
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Learning to be part of the knowledge economy: digital divides and media literacy
September 2007
The ‘digital divide’ refers to the difference between those with access to new technologies and those without. However, as well as creating a ‘gap’, could digital technologies also hold the potential to bridge that gap?
pdf version (pdf, 141KB)
One tablet or two? Opportunities for change in educational provision in the next 20 years
June 2006
Sean McDougall imagines how we could embrace all the technologies that children use and re-organise our learning system to take account of them.
pdf version (pdf, 118KB)
Using wikis in schools: a case study
May 2006
Social software has the potential to support and structure communities where individuals come together to share, learn, create and collaborate with each other. Based on a case study in a UK secondary school, this paper explores the use of wikis in schools.
pdf version  (pdf, 279KB)
An anatomy of games
September 2004
This paper describes the components from which games are constructed. It is prompted by the development at Futurelab of new formats of games, and the need for advice and guidance for designing and constructing games by considering some of the affordances of previous games.
pdf version  (pdf, 167KB)
The potential role of ICT in modern foreign languages learning 5-19
August 2004
Looking at the current provision of language teaching, and at the future languages strategy, there are a number of key roles that ICTs have the potential to fulfil in Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) teaching and learning.
pdf version  (pdf, 113KB)
The participation of children in the design of new technology
September 2003
The participation of children in the design of new educational technology has gained popularity in recent years, with approaches ranging from usability testing at the end of a production cycle to long-term partnership.
pdf version (pdf, 200KB)
Computer games and learning
September 2003
Why do we think it's worth talking about computer games and learning in the same breath? The over-riding reason for interest in this field is that computer games seem to motivate young people in a way that formal education doesn't.
pdf version (pdf, 176KB)