t-learning - Future Scenarios - Revising for National School Exams

National School examinations are approaching for sixteen-year-old Hans. However unlike his elder sister, Gaba, he can now make use of a new service that has been made available by the public service broadcaster on their recently installed broadband TV network.

Two years earlier, when Gaba was revising for her exams, she could make use of the revision web site run by the public service broadcaster. She would pick a subject area and answer a number of multiple-choice questions to test her knowledge. She also had access to text-based and graphics to help explains certain concepts. It tended to be a rather lonely experience.

However, Hans can now make use of an enhanced service that is now available on TV. He selects the interactive services button on his remote control and uses the menus to get to the revision area in the learning zone. Initially the service looks similar to what Gaba viewed when on the web site – although there is less text on the screen. The same format of multiple-choice questions is available, but, in addition, Hans also has access to video-clips that explain in more detail specific concepts. The animated diagrams also have a person’s voice explaining different aspects of the diagram. The big advantage with both the animations and the video-clips that they can be stopped, started, fast-forwarded and rewound at will, thus making it much easier to go over a specific point that may not have been understood the first time.

Compared to the computer, using the TV has enabled revision to become a group activity. Hans sits down with his father and sister Gaba and they can discuss various points as they are going through the various exercises. Over the weeks before the exams this has become a daily routine for the family just before they watch their favourite soap opera. Hans has control of the remote control until the soap begins.

Hans has also brought his friends home and they have used the TV as a focal point for their revision all together. In addition, they can also refer to the frequented answered questions section that is updated every few minutes with answers to questions that have been send in via SMS messages from mobile phones or using the TV email facility.

Future Scenario - Revising for National School Exams