Chapter 7 talks about how educational software's can support and promote problem solving and inquiry learning for grades K-12. Some of the educational software that teachers use for problem solving and inquiry learning are Kid Pix, Google Earth, Excel, and etc. We talked about Mine Craft in our last lecture and how schools are bringing in computer games as a resource to use for students to interact, go by rules, have a goal and objective and have strategies for the conflicts/challenges they encounter. Some other software that are used in schools for topics in math are Math blaster, Treasure Mathstorm, and Numbers undercover. I didn't know but many schools have a vast selection of educational software, including games, in their libraries or resource centers. So students have easy access to these educational software that have been evaluated. An effective tutoring system is tracking a student's performance in getting the correct answer and then adjusting their teaching approach based on the student's learning needs. A lot of feedback is good for inquiry learning and problem solving.
1. Would you use computer games in your classroom to promote and support problem solving and inquiry learning? Which software would you use?
2. How can educators assess the effectiveness of educational software?
Michelle, I think your second questions raises a good point. How do we know if educational software is improving the learning of our students. When I look for software or internet games to use with my students I always look to see if the game offers a score card or report. Many of the software games from Lakeshore Learning have a printable score report at the end of each level so I can keep track of the types of questions my students are answering correctly and those they are struggling with. Printing the score report is part of their job during the game, so students know they are being held accountable as well!
ReplyDeleteI do believe computer games are good to use in the classroom as they promote critical thinking and inquiry learning. I find quests games to be very effective. it would benefit many areas such as math, literacy, science and social studies. i found one game called the underground railroad. you play the role of a slave and go through a set of goals for your rights for freedom. I think its a great game that should be incorporated in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteHey Michelle,
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question on how educators would assess the effectiveness of educational software. I would first use "Higher Order Thinking Evaluation Rubric" created by the university of north texas technology educator john rice because it is 20 questions that educators have answer about video gaming products, some of which could be used to assess other types of educational software as well. The goal is for each software to score between meeting the requirements of 15-20 questions on the "higher Order Thinking" rubric.