KS3 ICT test should be ‘optional’
The Government set the ambitious goal of producing an online KS3 ICT test that marked itself.  However, the National Assessment Agency has now recommended that the exam should not become statutory (see BBC news article).  This announcement coincides with two key reports stating that the current curriculum is restricted by the limitations of how it is assessed.  Instead, the main driving force should be the needs of individual learners.

2020 Vision
The 2020 Vision Gilbert Review and the IPPR Report on Assessment and Testing call for major changes in education to give our future workforce the skills they actually require.  They agree that National Curriculum Tests and GCSEs have been used increasingly to hold schools to account.  This has had a profound influence on what is taught and how.  Both reports recommend that we need a system which conforms to the needs of the learner, rather than the learner to the system.

What is personalised learning?
According to the Gilbert Review, ‘personalised learning and teaching means taking a highly structured and responsive approach to each child’s and young person’s learning, in order that all are able to progress achieve and participate’.  This vision of tailoring the curriculum to the unique needs and learning styles of every child is obviously a wonderful idea in principle, but how can it be made a reality?

Achieving the vision with ICT
In fact, many learners are already ahead of the game.  ‘By the age of 21 the average person will have spent 15,000 hours in formal education, 20,000 hours in front of the TV and 50,000 hours in front of a computer screen’ (Futures of learning Seminars, Future Learning Practice; seminar report June 2005).  Young people are using technology informally to learn about issues that interest them and share their ideas with online communities.  The challenge for schools is whether they can catch up with their students!

Practical Examples
Schools are moving towards putting their schemes of work online.  For example, Notre Dame High School, Norwich has put their KS3 ICT Scheme of work onto the web. Consequently, students can access guidance from home as well as at school on demand.  It enables students to work more at their own pace and when appropriate they can choose which level of activity to do. 

The internet can enable students to learn and demonstrate certain skills whilst researching issues that interest them.  The BBC Newsround website gives students the freedom to choose from a wide variety of real issues relevant to the curriculum.

Some schools are exploring sites such as learnerblogs and wikispaces to encourage students to collaborate and learn from each other.  However, the issue of how to moderate these online communities does need to be addressed.

E-assessment tools such as Hot Potatoes and Yacapaca can be used to tailor assessment, providing an ongoing picture of each student’s individual needs.

Conclusion
2020 vision can be interpreted in two ways. Looking at the needs of our future work force, or having a sharper view of today’s curriculum.  Likewise, before trying to predict future uses of ICT, we should gain a clearer picture of how it is being used now to personalise the curriculum.