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Discussion papers

Exploring new ideas in an informal format, these papers aim to raise questions and prompt debate.

  • Neurofeedback discussion paperNeurofeedback: is there a potential for use in education?

    April 2009

    Neurofeedback is the presentation in real time of information about the state of the brain, allowing the subject to practise generating the state of mind most beneficial to their desired behaviour. This paper explores research, concerns and potential uses for education.

  • Learning objectsLearning objects

    April 2008

    Distance educator Ken Allan discusses the learning object, its design, development and appropriate use as one of the many components in the portfolio of applied e-learning tools and strategies available to the 21st century teacher.

  • Digital divide and media literacyLearning 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?

  • One tablet or two?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.

  • Using wikis in schoolsUsing wikis in schools: a case study

    April 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.

  • An anatomy of gamesAn 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.

  • The potential role of ICT in modern foreign languages learning 5-19The 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.

  • Computer games and learningComputer 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.

  • The participation of children in the design of new technologyThe 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.