Educating Tomorrow's Scientists: IT as a tool, not an educator

Abstract The use of Information Technology in education has achieved the status of being ‘politically correct’. It is perceived to deliver education in a cost‐effective manner to the benefit of both the student and the institution. For the former, it can provide or enhance flexibility of access and format, for the latter, a reduction in costs of staffing and infrastructure. This review aims to critique current practice both in the traditional approach to science education and the raft of Information Technology strategies being enacted to enhance science learning. It is argued that the considerations of cost and flexibility of access must rank second to considerations of learning outcomes derived significantly from the way in which different students actually learn.