Simulations help us analyze reality, and technology makes simulations possible.
For example, the Army is increasingly relying on technology to simulate combat, because the cost of practicing in actual combat is too high, and not simulating it results in poor performance when Soldiers meet reality.
Classrooms are the same, and the costs may be just as high, though the effect dulled by time. Nevertheless, teachers should look for ways to align learning to reality as much as possible.
Out of the five types of Academic Software we discussed in class, which do you think is the best suited for learning and why?
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I think that the exploratory environment is the most effective method of teaching because it gives the power back to the student. I think that when a student is "guided" through a lesson, they lose a sense of control over what they learn. If they are put into a place where they can explore on their own, learning will be increased drastically. I am a huge advocate for students to self-motivate their own learning, and an exploratory environment is a great way to initiate this.
Simulation, definitely. It provides "real life" experiences for kids which helps them to relate to what is going on in class. In my opinion, students learn better when they can relate the happenings outside of the classroom into the classroom.
Edutainment is a nice concept. I like the idea of friendly competition, fun, and learning all together in one. Kids learn best when they don't realize that they are learning.
-CORMAC
I think drill and practice is best suited for learning. It's effective because it can be entertaining, it could involve exploring, and sometimes even drills involve a quick simulation or tutorial at the start to show kids how to use the drilling software. All of the types can be effective but for me I think drilling is the best, especially with things like multiplication that need to be memorized. Drilling is also great for kids at different levels.
I think the tutorial is the most important, because it allows for guidance and correcting when needed. The others let the student explore and learn new things on his own, but the tutorial really "holds-their-hand" in a sense that you can really make sure that they are learning.
I feel that the best academic software to use is the exploratory environment, because students can enhance their learning at their own pace. This software is good for students who like to explore on their own instead of doing exactly what everyone else is doing. Any kind of academic software is good to use in the classroom environment.
I believe simulation is the best tool to use. Simulation allows the student to feel what the teacher is trying to convey. For example a student can manipulate the situation and can truly feel the lesson.
I believe the drill and practice. I feel that the academic programs that utilize drill and practice methods are most effective with technology. It is a perfect way to practice math problems and vocabulary.
I think simulations are the best suited for learning. Simulations are the closest to the actual thing, if the actual thing is not available. For example, if you are trying to simulate how chemicals react with each other, but the children are too young to mix them, the school doesn't allow it, or the chemicals are too strong, you can use a simulator to show the reaction. Simulations are great ways to teach in a fun and interesting ways to keep students entertained.
Of course I think it's always important to find a balance. If I were to say one that might be more important, I'd have to say Exploratory Environment. Students need to have the freedom to explore their own interests and acquire knowledge and learning on their own. We learn so much through experience and by exploring, looking through new lenses students can learn so much, left feeling accomplished and fulfilled.
I think that simulation and exploratory environment both take the cake for being the most suited for learning. Simulation allows students to see how subjects relate to real life and exploratory environment allows students to discover the answer themselves. These actions become more meaningful and important to the student.
I think that simulation is the best suited for learning because it gets students engaged easier (in my opinion). Students can learn through trial and error, inputing something and finding out the result. I believe that the closer the simulation is, the better connected the students will be to the material. In simulations such as games, students would have fun and learn at the same time.
As a 1st grade teacher, simulations will be useful to creating a more interactive and better for visual learners. There are so many great softwares out there to help illustrate things in the classroom. With budget cuts and limited time restrains simulations are a great alternative.
I like the idea of "Edutainment," because kids are already likely to be using computers for entertainment, so to make educational material available to students seems like a practical way to inject academic material while keeping it fun.
Although I can see the benefits in all types, I personally would like to use Edutainment in my elementary school classes. Elementary school can be the time to hook students into enjoying learning. Most students respond very well to fun activities and they are a great way to practice things we have learned. Ideally some students will enjoy the edutainment activities so much that they will do some at home!
I think that simulation is definitely the best tool for learning in a classroom. It helps students to see what should happen in a given situation, and can even show them what shouldn't happen when they try something. It is also good because, as discussed in class, it can help speed up processes that would otherwise take longer. It helps to simplfy concepts so that when they see the actual product it is less intimidating.
Exploratory Environments are powerful tools to engage students in their own learning and extend the boundaries of their knowledge. When successfully implemented, exploratory environments allow students to pick the subjects that interest them the most delve into them as far as they are able. Good exploratory environments encourage the users to ask questions and then lead them on the path to discovery. The interface makes the explorer think and process while providing the required information in a fun and stimulating way.
Simulation is best suited for learning because students can visually see the concept you're teaching them. Your evolution simulation was a good example of something that is so slow that it's difficult to "see" happen.
For a math classroom, I think a number of academic/instructional softwares would be useful and feasible: Simulations, drill and practice at the top of the list. I imagine that it would be great for Geometry, for example to use simulations to be able to drag-and-drop items around... to play with an environment. Geometers Sketchpad, discussed ad naseum, is a perfect example of a simulation program that would be useful as academic software.
To me, the best type of academic software is drill and practice. This type of software helps with the automaticity of different skills which are extremely important. One thing we stress in 2nd grade is the automaticity of the students addition and subtraction facts 1-20. If these facts are automatic to the kids then they will be able to learn and perform more challenging math problems much easier. Drill and practice software will help them to do just this. I know that for young kids, a lot of edutainment type of software can also be considered drill and practice.
I think that it ultimately comes down to what subject you're teaching, but I think simulation is a great tool to learn a variety of subjects. A great example would be a game called Civilization, a game where players simulate the rise and expansion of civilization from 4000 BC to present day. During the game, the player will have to make trade agreements with other civilizations, control their borders, expand their empire, and find resources. In this environment, the player can learn the complex issues that arise when cultures try to cooperate and what causes conflict between nations. Though not labeled as an educational tool, the game's simulation engine can be extremely educational.
I think that simulation (despite its drawbacks) sounds useful. Especially in the realm of allowing children to view time-sensitive phenomena like the melting of glaciers or the growing of facial hair. I can see how watching these things happen might be a little out of the scope of the classroom. Also pretty boring.
Sincerely,
Emma
I would say that a tutorial is likely to be the best suited for learning. A tutorial is very specific, addressing each point necessary (hopefully) that the child is required to know. The subject matter is pinpointed and allows for less misinterpretation than some other methods. It guides the student step by step, allowing them to take the time that they need and ask the teacher questions when necessary.
I hope to some day work in the Edutainment field. Actually, I really hope to eliminate this category as a whole by integrating many of the excited aspects of this field into programs that fit into the other categories. This goes back to our first reading about how we *think* we will use technology, and how our time is actually spent in more sinful, endulging measures.
I think simulation would be one of the coolest ways to implement technology in the classroom, mostly because I haven't seen it used that much and think it would be really cool! For science, especially, but using simulations for history and definitely for math would be an awesome learning tool. I feel that edutainment is great, too, but it sometimes puts across the message that technology time is fun time rather than serious learning time.
-Robin van Schravendijk
I think that exploratory environment is the type of software that has the greatest potential for higher learning. Exploratory software has the potential to allow the student to learn at their own pace and in the depth that they desire. It will be my intention to encourage students to explore their world and the world of science.
Sincerely Adam
I think the exploratory environment software offerings have the most to offer when it comes to assisting learning. I believe that inquiry lies at the heart of true acquisition of an understanding of something, and exploration is the exercise that trains the muscles of inquiry.
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