BBC BITESIZE

BBC Bitesize

BBC Bitesize

Introduction

The online BBC Bitesize website is very good for learning the basics very quickly. The website covers all areas of every syllabus and prepares you for your GCSE exams no matter which exam board you use. The website is very easy to use and navigate around. In each subject area you will find the subject is broken down in to around 4 - 8 sub-sections. In each sub-section are more sections which contain a PowerPoint type presentation whereby you must read through the pages at your own pace. At the end of each section, there is a small test with 10 questions. These are very basic but at least you can see how much you have remembered and what areas of the subject you need to cover again.

BBC Bitesize

Digital production company Kanoti have created 20 interactive activities for BBC Bitesize online. They will provide revision help for Key Stage 2 children using the popular CBBC characters from Big Babies and Trapped.

For the first time the BBC is aiming to engage this age range with BBC Bitesize by using popular CBBC brands. The activities use 2D and 3D animation along with photographic elements. The activities will prepare students for their KS2 English Language exam and cover reading, writing, spelling and grammar. The activities have taken the brands as a starting point and include voiceovers from the Big Babies' cast and Simon Greenhall from Trapped. The activities will be rolled out in two phases.

The sole TGAU section is in Welsh, and covers biology, chemistry, Welsh language, physics, maths, and additionally a section for non Welsh students to learn Welsh as a second language. There are not many areas to fault, however, the Computing Studies section has been criticised for being inaccurate and dated. Another minor issue is that some tests have some minor marking flaws, occasionally giving the user a correct answer despite them incorrectly answering the question, as seen in the Of Mice and Men test section.

According to Shaundra Walker (2006), BBC Bitesize in a position where it will have to take certain measures on a pro-active basis if it wants to retain its current fan base. Since BBC Bitesize mainly appeals to students, therefore it is essential for BBC Bitesize to ensure that the provision of information and access features to students is seamless and user-friendly. According to the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC, 2006), an area that merits extensive concentration is that which pertains to the provision of customized services to users. In this regard, BBC Bitesize needs to develop a better understanding regarding the preferences and need of college students (Walker, 2006).

It merits highlighting at this point that this aspect has also been raised by Foster and Gibbons (2007). According to Foster and Gibbons, there is a need for BBC Bitesize to channel resources towards the development of a sound understanding towards the modern day demands of students and youngsters. This deficiency is particularly prominent in the area of undergraduate students since the demands ...