The Impact of an ICT Rich Learning Environment, on the Enquiring Mind.

In my personal opinion, anything that excites and engages the learner is most certainly going to have an impact on their learning experience. Everybody knows that when you are having fun, whilst learning you will more easily learn. Therefore an ICT rich learning environment could potentially have a huge impact on the way that people learn in schools today. With a world that is increasingly technology driven and influenced an environment in which the learner is engaging with computers instead of books seems the way forward and relevant to the learners.

According to research surrounding an article on the 'The effects of computer games on primary school students' 

The effects a game environment on students’ achievement and motivation showed that students made significant learning gains by participating in a game-based learning environment. When comparing their motivations while learning in the game-based learning environment and in their traditional school environment, it was found that students demonstrated statistically significant higher intrinsic motivations and statistically significant lower extrinsic motivations learning in the game-based environment. In addition, they had decreased focus on getting grades and they were more independent while participating in the game-based activities. These positive effects on learning and motivation, and the positive attitudes of students and teachers suggest that computer games can be used as an ICT tool in formal learning environments to support students in effective learning.'

Weston Road High School became an Academy
in 2011, and is still the only school with Academy status
in Stafford, this gives them the funding and freedom to be able to afford resources that allow them 'to drive the school forward with an emphasis on ICT.'
The Academy is commited to ‘Opening Minds’, Weston Road Academy prepares students with the skills to develop their own understanding and abilities, opening pupils’ minds through our use of technology to develop
confidence within our community.
In line with this, they have implemented 'Show My
Homework (SMHW)', which is an online homework calendar, which 66% students agree is easy to understand what is required from them. 
The academies plan is underpinned by a vision for an ICT Rich learning environment t in which all members of the Academy can engage creatively in a community of learning,
respect and mutual support. supportive, positive and
dynamic learning environment that enables them to focus
on their studies and extracurricular activities.
With this in mind, it was found that through the
use of this technology, 67% students found that SMHW
helped them prioritise their homework.
These are significant figures which show just how beneficial an ICT Rich learning environment can be on an enquiring mind. When pupils are now using ICT in their everyday personal lives, to find out information; record information; talk to friends; organise themselves there is clearly a need for a switch to an environment which takes this into account and works with what the pupils are now accustom to.  




Reference:
http://www.bettshow.com/files/bett_whats_new_start_your_bett_story.pdfTüzün, H., et al. The effects of computer games on primary school students’ achievement and ... Computers & Education (2008), doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2008.06.008. Found at:
http://www.simge.metu.edu/journal/CE_motivation.pdf