The 5 'E's Explained

The Requirements for Using ICT are set out under headings described as the 5 ‘E’s. These are:

  • Explore
  • Express
  • Exchange
  • Evaluate
  • Exhibit

The 5 ‘E’s have been colour coded and represent the steps a learner might follow when taking an initial idea from concept to completion. They can be described as follows:

Explore is about looking for finding, choosing and using information as well as using digital tools to investigate and solve problems. Pupils move from having resources provided for them to being more independent and discriminate users of ICT. This ‘E’ often forms the first part of work in which a pupil engages in.

Express is about pupils being creative, developing and presenting their ideas using text, sound, music and still or moving images. It ranges from simple text, sound or pictures to the production of a multimedia product.

Exchange is about pupils collaborating with others online to share and develop their ideas. This can include sending an e-mail, participating in a video-conference, contributing to an online course or using collaborative online tools. Activities with a strong Exchange focus can make a valuable contribution to the richness of pupils’ experiences of Explore and Express.

Evaluate is about pupils reflecting on their process and outcome, thinking about how they carried out the task and how they might improve upon what they did. Tasks with a strong problem solving focus can ensure more explicit coverage of this ‘E’.

Exhibit is about pupils managing and showcasing their work digitally. It ranges from pupils printing and saving their work to organising and maintaining digital personalised areas.

You need to ensure that you plan for coverage of the UICT Requirements across the 5 ‘E’s.

Explore and Express form the core of most of the activities that your pupils will be involved in. However, in your planning you should build in Evaluate (for pupils to consider what they have done). In particular, wherever possible, you should also provide opportunities for pupils to Exchange (work collaboratively online) and to Exhibit (showcase their work digitally).

Have a go at the ‘Identify the ‘E’’ activity.