On page 5 (page 16 of the actual article) , Maureen Brown Yoder talks about one of the irst computerized simulations, The Oregon Trail. As a kid, I absolutley loved playing this game. Whenever my class went to the compute lab, it was the first thing I played. I liked the idea that I was in control of the characters. But what I didn't know was that it was teaching me that I had be monitor several different things at one and that I had to make decisions that would affect the outcome of the game. Would I forge the river, or would I pay for the ferry? How much food would we eat? did I have to ration the food or could we eat a big meal? These are some of the decisions I was faced with when playing the game. I also had to learn to watch when people got sick. I a sickness was unattended for too long, characters would die. So I learned to watchout when characters got sick and when they did, I had to make sure they received the right medicine.
On page 4 (page 9 of the actual article), Yoder talks about the use of word processors. As a student, being able to use the computer to write a report was a gift sent from God. When writing a report by hand, things soemtimes got messy. If I had to erase something, there would be smudges from the pencil. It would make my report look less professional. But once I was allowed to use a computer, there was never any fear of that. The biggest thing I had to worry about was letting the ink dry! The use of powerpoint was also a great tool. I am a very isual learner, so I like to see things typed out on a screen and nopt just hear a teacher say it. It was also a great tool for students to use when doing a project. There was no extra cost for it because they schools provided the program on their computer. Teachers made sure to emphasize that there would be no extra points awarded because of fancy fonts or backgrounds. They made it clear that content was most important.
I even had a technological experience with my Earth Science class I took at Palomar College a year ago. The class was learning about sediments, wind patterns and ocean currents. Our professor gave us a program that sent us on an expedition to Antartica to study sediments and what they revealed about the past. It was a lot of fun because of the interactive program. I actually remember what we leanred about because I was actually having fun!
Reading the article "The Integrated Technology Classroom: An Experiment in Restructuring Elementary School Instruction," I realized how beneficial computers were in a classroom setting, or at least as a part of the educational process. Having students do math problems on the board is not fun for them. More often than not, students are so afraid to make a mistake and be laughed at for it. This stresses the child out and makes learning not so fun. When using a program that helps children to practice the math they are learning, there is more positive feedback. If they get the problem wrong, the computer tells them so and allows the child to try again and again until they get it right. There is no ridicule from other students, so the student can feel comfortable. I believe that allowing students more opportunities like this, with different subjects, students will be more educated and feel more comfortable!
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5 comments:
I have had the same experiences in school too! I also loved playing The Oregon Trail, and while most of the time I was concerned with getting my "family" to the finish; I also occasionally would intentionally starve them so I could create my own tomb stone.
I took the same Earth Science class at Palomar and I got to Use that interactive Antartica expedition, I also learned alot because I was not just reading about it, I was part of it!
I still have the same problem with remembering to let the ink dry. I will still smudge my papers from time to time...patience is a virtue!
Also I remeber playing those games, they were the greatest.The teacher could never get us off the computer when we were playing those games.
Hi Gina-
I just had to comment on the embarrassment of doing math problems on the white board, I myself was the “class clown” kid but really I was shy and I would goof off to make awkward situations easier. I would do the problem incorrectly because I knew the teacher would send me to my desk and re do the equation with the students.
Gina, I just wanted to comment on the part where you discuss the benefits of typing on a computer opposed to handwriting. Not only do you benefit from the way it looks but you benefit as a writer. The computer will correct mistakes and you will be able to rewrite over and over again without feeling you have to start over from the beginning. I remember when I was a child and had to write essays it was too much of a pain to rewrite, so my essays were not as good as they could have been. Typing on a computer has made the lives of students so much easier and beneficial to their writing skills.
That is the name of the game I was thinking of The Oregon Trail. I also mentioned about the games on my reflection and completely forgot the name of that game. I did not want to type the Trail game. I loved that game too. What you say is true I did realize we were learning through playing that game.
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