Friday, March 1, 2013

Chapter 7 Journal

How can teachers evaluate the effectiveness of educational software? Teachers can evaluate the effectiveness of educational software in many ways, but first they must be able to identify the things that make up poor software. Poor software usually lets the students control the activity oppose to a good one were the software controls the activity. Next, if the software promotes competition, violence, or stereotyping, then the software is poor quality because it's not a good source of learning and providing bad images for the student. Finally, if the software forces a student to react quick oppose to long term thinking, then the software will also be consider poor quality and not effective. Once the teachers has identified these basics on a software they will be able to determine if it is an effective educational software.

Tech Tool 7.2 A Math Learning Game- Zoombinis Logical Journey Tech Tool 7.1 is a great math learning game. I found it pretty interesting. My nephew sometimes struggle with basic math so I tried this tool out on him. He was like a little kid in the candy store, I even caught him giggling at the animations. He thought it was really cool and said he would love to play it again. I also found it interesting because the colors and animations throughout the game are neat. Even though we only tested the game for a short period of time. Also, another thing I found interesting is that for the period of time he was playing it really engaged him in site. He did not want to give me back the computer. Therefore, I think this tech tool provides a fun interactive way to get students involved in learning math and having fun with it.

 This video was provided by YouTube user Ilikemustard

Chapter 7 Summary Problem Solving and Inquiry Learning with Software and Web Tools Chapter 7 does an overview on how educational software supports and promotes problem solving and inquiry learning from students in all elementary, middle, and high school levels.It approaches the areas educators have most difficulties with in computers and software and how to find out their effectiveness. It explains the two types of software. First, there is system software, system software is responsible for the overall functioning and control of a computer and includes an operating system, database managing, and TP monitor. The second type of software is application software that performs specific functions in specialized ways to produce different services. These services include word processing, spreadsheets, slides, etc. Next, it talks about open sources software is available to the public at little or no cost. 

With all the types of software available, chapter 7 discusses how to evaluate different software and gives a general criteria to determine whether they are valuable or a wasteful source for learning. It also provides online software resources for teachers and how to use educational software for problem solving and inquiry learning in order to meet educational goals. Also, Chapter 7 gives information to the educator on how to build, invent and create software. 

Chapter 7 gives information on educational games as a learning resource. For example, tech tool 7.2 provided a great, fun, and interactive learning game for student and this is just one of many ways to show a student a fun and interactive way of learning through educational games. Even though there has been many debates on games and gaming, I feel like educational games are a great way to get a student involve, especially for those who have a hard time paying attention in class or even those students with ADD because in involves the student in many more ways then one. I love the fact that this chapter also provides the strategies on how to include games in their curriculum because we live in a technology world therefore, students must know how to approach technology properly.

1 comment:

  1. Sounds like you have a lot of 'take-aways' from this chapter. Gaming is certainly a controversial topic, but I am in agreement with you as I have not only seen games work due to the increased motivation, but also because they teach concepts and skills that can't be taught in the traditional way very well, i.e., strategic thinking, sequencing, and problem-solving. Glad you had a fun experience with your nephew on Zoombinis as well! :)

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