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Electronic learning credits and Curriculum Online — a step by step guide
ICT is now an integral element of teaching and learning, and with the
release of electronic Learning Credits (eLCs), all schools can
purchase multimedia resources for pupils to use in the classroom. Curriculum
Online is a definitive online catalogue of multimedia resources for the
teaching profession, and eLCs are the funding to help pay for them.
What is a 'multimedia resource'?
The term 'multimedia resource' refers to items of software
that are specifically targeted to support the teaching of the
curriculum through enriching lessons with the latest technology. Such
products can be supplied in many different formats and at a wide range of
prices; some are even free. The price which eLCs can be used to
pay may include items such as user manuals, technical support and the cost
of distribution. Items of hardware are not allowed unless they cost only a
small fraction of the cost of the software and come as a package with it.
How do I access eLCs?
First, make sure you know that your school has its allocation, how it
has been decided to distribute the money, and what procedures you need to
follow if you are going to spend the money as an individual teacher. You can
check all of this with your school's eLC budget holder (who may be your
head teacher, head of department, bursar or ICT coordinator).
The next steps are to visit the Curriculum Online website and use the easy pinpoint searching to find the resources you want, then finally to order the product direct from the supplier.
How do I search for resources?
Remember that no transactions take place directly through the
Curriculum Online site: it is simply an online catalogue.
The website has been redesigned to help teaching professionals search for the right resource in as targeted and straightforward a way as possible. The search process is organised as follows:
On the homepage you can do any of the following:
-
select a subject and click 'Go' to access a search page for each subject
-
search for the title of a resource
-
find resources for pupils with SEN
-
find resources for Early Learning or the Foundation Stage
-
find whole-school resources such as reference materials
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use the A-Z Index of Suppliers to look for a particular supplier and their resources.
If you decide to search by subject you can then:
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search by Key Stage or school year, entering the size of resource that you are looking for and a key word or words
-
limit your search by various criteria: resources for special educational needs; interactive whiteboard resources; resources which can be used for assessment; free resources
-
browse resources based on Programme of Study or Scheme of Work
-
select an advanced search option which allows you to specify the format and type of resource you are looking for, as well as links to aspects of the curriculum.
If you've already spent your eLCs for the year, you can still focus your search on free resources.
How do I purchase resources?
To buy a resource using eLCs, you need to:
-
make sure you have the approval of your eLC budget holder
-
order direct from a supplier, informing them that you are using eLCs.
The Curriculum Online search results give details of each resource and links to its suppliers. Follow the link to a supplier's website to find out how to order the resource. If the resource is priced, tell the supplier when you order that you are using your eLC money to buy it. Using eLC money to pay for resources does not alter the supplier's ordering, distribution or invoicing system; nor does it prevent suppliers from offering discounts to customers.
When you have received the resource, the supplier will invoice your school directly. The invoice should be paid using your existing procedures, and the expenditure recorded in your school's accounts under Standards Fund Grant 31c (formerly 618).
If the resource is available free of charge, details will be displayed on either the resource information page or the supplier's own site describing how to obtain it.
Reviews and recommendations
Curriculum Online has a number of additional features available to
users who register on the site. For example, when searching for the right
resources to suit your needs, you can keep a record of possible recommendations
for purchase by using the wishlist facility.
To help make tracking down the right resource even easier, you'll find many have been given independent evaluations, star ratings and/or teacher reviews. Other websites such as Evaluate or Schoolzone provide evaluations of individual Curriculum Online products, designed to help teachers make informed choices.
If you want to know how some of the latest technologies and resources work, and how teachers can use them to their advantage, have a look at Curriculum Online's articles:
- What is...? articles provide information on what particular devices and multimedia resources do and how they can be used together.
- How to... articles offer practical tips and advice for teachers using multimedia resources in the classroom.
- ICT video case studies provide an insight into how ICT and multimedia resources are making a real difference in real classrooms. Each video case study is a stand-alone, real-life example of ICT in action at Key Stages 1 and 3, designed to help you reflect on your own experience and enrich your own practice.
Why can't we buy hardware?
Curriculum Online is aimed at raising standards in curriculum subjects
by giving teachers software that will help them teach in the classroom.
Allowing eLC money to be spent on other items might undermine this aim. If your
school needs hardware or any other item, talk to your LA to see if other
budgets are available.
How can I find out more?
If you have a query that cannot be answered by your budget-holder or
from the Curriculum Online site itself, you can talk to speak to the
individual or team at your LA who distribute Standards Fund money. If you still
cannot find the answer contact the team at the DCSF by completing an enquiry
form (see the helpdesk area of the Curriculum Online site) or by calling
the DCSF Public Enquiry Unit on 0870 000 2288.
Last updated: 31 July 2007
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