The Vampire Project: an investigation into the use of ICT in English

Pam Stephen: Arthur Mellows Village College

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Summary

This small-scale study examined how the internet, word processing, and other ICT-based packages could support the teaching and learning of English in Year 7, specifically the teaching of concepts of audience and purpose. In voluntarily attended lunchtime lessons over two terms, a small mixed group of pupils accessed texts on vampires from a range of sources. Filtered Internet-based material was downloaded onto the school's intranet to speed the search process. Pupils extracted useful information to transform the ICT-based documents into one summarised, attractive text appropriate for CD-ROM entry for a specified audience, their own peers.

Evidence about attitudes and motivation was gathered through teacher observations and students' completion of questionnaires and logbooks. The boys remained particularly highly motivated and focused on producing the end product. Existing ICT skills were enhanced and oral and collaborative skills were also developed by the project. The pupils worked on ICT and paper based materials and their presentations in both media demonstrated increased awareness of format, audience and purpose.

See also Jackie Kruse and Billy Zaidi's report on a parallel project with Year 13 students.