a) Produce an assignment which analyses ways you can use technology to enhance learning and teaching
With the advancement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), it has become a lot simpler to teach and to learn. The evolvement of the computer has helped both students and teachers, as it has become a lot simpler to teach and a lot more practical to do so. Some suitable examples of this are as follows:- a) Textbooks
The days of carrying around numerous different textbooks on a variety of different subjects have virtually disappeared. Nowadays, the same amount of information required is available, in a few textbooks, which are accompanied by compact disks (CD-ROMs). (This is reinforced by the fact that in future the Encyclopaedia Britannica will no longer be available in book form, but on CD-ROMs).
The CD ROMs that accompany the text books often have MS PowerPoint slides with them and teachers can easily adapt these slides to suit their own teaching requirements. These CD-ROMs also contain data files that are suitable subject examples, and these can be used by both the teacher and the student. This serves two purposes:- 1) It reduces the time required by the teacher in researching suitable examples of the relevant subject. 2) It provides the student with suitable examples that they can practise with to determine that they have actually understood the relevant subject

b) Software packages
With the introduction of Microsoft Office both the teacher and the student have access to user-friendly and cost-effective software that can be used to write assignments (MS Word), produce statistics (MS Excel), create basic databases (MS Access) and produce presentations (MS PowerPoint). c) Research
With the advent of computers and related technology, especially the worldwide web (the Internet) research time has been reduced significantly. A very good example of this is statistics surveys for which the completion of questionnaires is required so that data can be compared accordingly. Questionnaires can be submitted, completed by the recipient and returned from the other side of the world in a matter of hours, not days/months as was previously the case. d) On-line tuition
Some teaching organisations have recognised the importance of on-line tuition/distance learning, especially for those students who are in full time employment, and have implemented suitable courses that allow the student to study at his/her own pace of learning. The teachers provide support to the students and charge a suitable fee for doing so. Usually, included in the course fee are “virtual” workshops that are held regularly so that students can discuss their problems and obtain information/advice from their peers.
In conclusion, the advance of technology, especially the computer and its related technology has allowed more opportunities for teaching and learning. It has done this by allowing ease of access to information and improved communication, thus helping to break down barriers that previously existed both nationally and internationally.

b) Evaluate the benefits and limitations of using technology in learning and teaching
The benefits of using technology in learning and teaching are, as follows:- 1) Availability: Nearly every household has a computer and related technology 2) Speed and portability 3) Large volume of information: Due to the Internet there is a vast amount of available information and a large variety of information 4) Interactive and can be easily monitored 5) Helps remove language barriers 6) Current/up-to-date information 7) Can encourage and inspire
The disadvantages of using technology in learning and teaching are, as follows:- 1) Can be distracting/divert s attention 2) Expensive and too much information 3) Availability reliant on Wi-Fi or other signal 4) Reliant on knowledge/skills of both teacher and learner to use effectively, and reliant on both teacher and student to update skills, as and when required 5) Not trustworthy, can be exclusive, demotivating (may not be suitable for learners with disabilities) and not secure
In conclusion, there are both advantages and disadvantages to using technology in learning and teaching and the teacher would have to make a judgement based on the subject and availability of relevant technology and skills of both himself/herself and the learner. However, technology is advancing at such a rate that I believe that in the not too distant future society pressure will make teaching and learning by technological means the “norm”.

Reference material: www.articlesbase.com - The Use of Technology in Teaching and Learning www.e-how.com – Advantages and disadvantages of Technology in Education