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Using ICT in RE

Welcome to our site on using ICT and RE. This material which follows was first used as the handout for an INSET programme in the Diocese of Ely. If you have any suggestions for additions or emendations, do contact us at resources.centre@ely.anglican.org.

 


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Downloadable as one PDF file

 


But First. An Introduction

Why use ICT in RE?

In the past RE and ICT have had an uncomfortable relationship, which stems from the traditional divide between religion and science; the former being seen as concerned with the spiritual, eternal and divine and the latter with the material, temporal and human. Moreover, the central concern of RE with relationships and feelings would appear to have no place in the mechanistic world of ICT. Now, however, ICT is a subject which should be taught across the entire curriculum; RE is expected to play its part in the ICT revolution and, certainly, a failure to keep technologically up to date could seriously damage the status and perceived relevance of RE, whilst increasing its potential isolation from other subjects.

ICT, correctly used, can significantly enhance your RE teaching. The Internet, in particular, has become a wonderful new tool for RE; as well as dedicated RE sites, it gives you the opportunity to visit web sites set up by the faith communities themselves. Some of these sites also have email facilities where you can ask questions of faith group leaders ( although not every site welcomes this - sometimes facilities are for genuine faith adherents only). A number of schools have also put RE pages on the web - they could give you ideas for your own work (set up your own pages!) or you could make contact with other schools working on the same topics as yourself.

ICT is also of value in raising standards (especially for some boys) by increasing pupil motivation, improving the presentation of work and extending pupils' ability to access and use information. For the teacher, effective use of ICT can provide opportunities for differentiation, give opportunities for independent individual and small group work. It can also be a helpful method of producing new and helpful school resources.

It is clear that ICT is not necessary to achieve success in RE, but it is certainly worth looking in detail at the potential uses of ICT in RE!