Final Thoughts Part 2 /3

Games and Learning

What other technologies can be used in teaching math, science, and computer science? I believe authentic learning is an excellent way to capture students’ interest and attention. Another area I believe that can be just as captivating is the use of games. Games allow players to be totally immersed in an environment such that their total attention is given to the game play. I am not sure how games can effectively be used in teaching and learning. Most of the games I have encountered “teaches” certain concepts much like traditional teaching methods except that there is a side component of game play in the process. For example, I came across a game where one has to solve a mathematical problem, and if successful, the player can try to kick a soccer ball at a goalie. The game does not help in the learning of the mathematical concept but used as a reward system so the learner gets to play if she understands the concept. Another use of games is to help student memorize mathematical concepts rather than to learn the concept. What I like to see is a more developed game play that helps in the learning of a concept rather than used as a reward or rote memorization system.

The latest issue of Communication of ACM (July 2007) contains a number of articles on the “Science of Games”. This area may be of interest to many who wants to use games in teaching and learning rather than just for entertainment value.

Female students and Technical subjects

Another area of interest to me is how to motivate more female participation in science and technical intensive courses. Research has shown that female students can excel just as well, if not better, than male students. However, I am not convinced that female students are just as interested in technical subjects and use of technology in their studies as male students. It is not clear from looking at the different TELE’s in this course such as Jasper, WISE, Geode, or new technologies such as visualization software, handheld devices, haptics systems would appeal to female students. Studies on why many teens, whether male or female, are so keen on using facebook, myspace, MSN, etc. and how these technologies can be used in teaching and learning will be an interesting topic.

Chaos in the Classroom – good or bad?

One comment that Dr. Susan Gerofsky made in one of the forums stuck with me during the course. The discussion was on the lack of order and structure that someone noticed in one of the videos we watched in the course. Susan asked whether order and structure was prerequisite or necessary in learning. I don’t usually insist on absolute silence in the classroom unless I am lecturing and especially I can’t think with all the noise around me. But for this generation of students who are used to watching TV, listening to iPods, and doing their homework all at the same time, may be the traditional order and structure in the classroom needs to be changed. How does technology help in the physical study space for students then? When are students under stimulated and when are they over stimulated? Is there a level of multi dimensional stimulation that is most effective for students to learn, and how are students differ from one another in terms of their threshold?

Scaffolding – when is it appropriate?

Designing appropriate scaffold to help students learn is also an interesting area that has been explored in this course. In many of the learning environments reviewed in this course, Jasper, WISE, etc. emphasizes appropriate scaffolding so that students will not be overwhelmed or confused by the learning process. Too much scaffolding will stymied the students’ creative exploration of the subject, and insufficient scaffolding will leave a student lost and confused.

Design of appropriate scaffolding takes a lot of time. The inquiry maps used in WISE are well received by the student because they were designed and prepared by many experts, and much thought was put into the “next steps” of the student’s learning. For an average teacher, whether in any level, there is just not enough time to prepare the appropriate learning material on top of the lesson subject material.

I believe technology can really help in this area, but much work needs to be done. For a computer to be able to guide a student in the learning process, there needs to be enough knowledge in the computer’s database to understand at what level is the student’s understanding. Such is not easy to create and I am not sure if this should left in the domain of teachers. At the moment, there is a shortage of good, qualified teachers to provide individual help for students. As the population shrinks, I am not sure if such technology is still necessary, or whether there will always be insufficient teachers.