Drama is a subject that has always endeavoured to enable pupils to express themselves. One of the ways that we do this is to try to communicate ideas from their personal perspective. ICT is a key element of the world they experience, and as a subject we should embrace this. Drama activities are always enriched when we expand the frame of reference. The internet especially allows our pupils to access a wide variety of source material. Not only do the pupils have access to this, the internet allows them to the control and pursue areas of investigation as they see fit. Whether the unit be skill based, theme based or issue based, their ability to use the web to broaden the views will only provide them with more to give the drama.

PowerPoint presentations (especially those that are linked to internet access) can be a way for teachers to control the timescale of an ICT drama experience. We can be as directive as we like, and those pupils that are more able will have ready access to extension material and they could broaden the field of investigation. Almost at will.

ICT is not something that we should fit in to our classes, it is a vital tool that should be a welcome addition. Pupils want to know that a subject is modern. They also want to control what they learn. The internet provides this. The use of camera's, editing programmes and projection devices add excitement and encourage the pupils to raise their minimum level of expectation.

ICT can be complex and even scary to some people. However, the materials being produced, on and off-line, are getting better researched and more supportive of teachers with less technology experience. Frame of reference and source material are never to be turned down in our subject.

A lot of people wonder what ICT is really for. They may feel that they have managed for years and they are don't see the need for this latest fad. However, it is not a fad, it is a wave, and we should know the difference, as these were the same arguments used about a little known subject in the 60's and 70's.…

ICT work in progress

· Power Point unit used for S2 Drama.
· Microsoft Publisher Newspaper design work completed by Intermediate 2 - Media Studies Pupils.
· Films created by S5/6 Media Studies pupils
· Virtual Cover Teacher lesson: This is a lesson conducted via a pre-filmed lesson introduction by the class teacher. This is an experimental material that is in development.
· Filming Process presentation: This will explain the process the pupils go through from concept to finished product. This will include the equipment used (though not the editing suite, this will be seen via the instructions we use.