Using Computer Tools to Enhance Learning

1
Using Computer Tools to Enhance Learning

• Word
• Databases
• Spreadsheets

Study Period 2, 2006
2
Small group discussion

• Small groups to share thoughts via the discussion
  lists
• What strategies might you use to manage computer
  integration with only 2, 3 or 4 computers in the
  classroom?
• How might you use computers with very young
  children? ( Reception/Yr 1)

3
"Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember,
involve me and I understand."
4

• Computers can function as many different tools.
• They allow the user to
• be more efficient,
• provide impressive professional looking
  presentations,
• incorporate a variety of media
• improve quality

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Some Computer Tools for enhancing learning

• Word processing
• Databases
• Spreadsheets
• Concept mapping software Inspiration

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Tools and humans

• humans and tools have been inseparable throughout
  evolution
• human minds have evolved to be adaptive in
  learning to use new tools
• computer tools are qualitatively different from
  previous tool types

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Traditional tools for teaching and learning

• Oral traditions
• Pencils, pens and paper
• Abacus, shells and trading items
• Rulers, protractors, graph/charting
• Pens and maps
• Books as stored Knowledge

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Activity1 Describe a book as a tool

• How does it work?
• What are its components?
• What are the features of a skilled user?
• What are the features of an unskilled user?
• Are all books exactly the same?
• How does it break down?
• You have 5 mins to find answers to these
  questions and report back to class

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Word processing in a class

• An entry, manipulation storage tool
• One of the most popular tools
• Characteristics
• Editing
• Formatting
• Integrating graphics
• Special functions such as spell checker, grammar
  checker, thesaurus
• Storage retrieval

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The Writing Process

• Supports planning, drafting, editing, revising,
  publishing
• Students can use outliner to support planning
• Students make more revision
• Students have fewer errors
• Opportunity to publish to an audience becomes
  important

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Uses in the classroom

• Examples
• English writing a story
• Maths preparing a survey
• S E collating information from the internet
• PE Health researching a sport writing it up
• Science writing up a science experiment
• LOTE exchanging information about your culture
• Arts incorporating graphics in artist project
• Technology Design Inventors

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Activity 1 collaborative writing in Word

• Start a story about a chance encounter with It
  was a hot morning. As I walked along the beach I
  met ????
• Swap seats with a colleague and continue writing
• Swap again and again
• Using track changes, edit previous contributions
• Original author, to accept or reject changes
• Embellish the story that you have ended up with
  using graphics tools.

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Activity 2

• Prepare an outline for Part 1 of your first
  assignment using View Outline.

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What is a database ?

• An organised collection of data
• Non-computerised databases electoral roll,
  telephone directory
• Computerised databases library catalogue
• Microsoft Access is an example of database
  software

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How might databases support learning?

• Students are able to
• identify commonalities
• analyse relationships
• discover trends
• test and refine hypotheses problem solving
• organize and share information
• keep information up to date research skills
• arrange information in more useful ways

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Databases as an enquiry tool

• Critical, creative and complex thinking skills
  are required to construct databases
• Database construction requires
• Analysing information
• Evaluating information
• Organising information
• Database searching or querying encourage the
  development of searching and problem solving
  skills
• (Jonassen, 2000)

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Uses of databases in the classroom

• Examples
• English recording rating books
• Maths real estate database of houses
• S E Australian animals
• PE Health fitness
• Science planets
• LOTE foreign countries
• Arts artists and their works
• Technology Design Inventors

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Activity

• Create a database on students favourite things.
  (Could be used as an ice-breaker if students do
  not know each other)
• Fields might consist of favourite
• Food
• Colour
• Sport
• Subject
• Activity
• Collect data from 5 of your peers
• Perform some queries eg Name the students who
  like football?

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What is a spreadsheet?

• Numerical record keeping system
• Essentially its a grid of empty cells with
  columns identified by letters and rows by numbers
• Cells may contain
• Text
• Numbers
• Formulas or mathematical functions

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How can spreadsheets support learning?

• Students are able to
• Explore mathematical relationships
• Facilitate calculations
• present data in various ways eg charts
• Simulate models
• Test hypotheses involving numbers and formulae
• Promote organisational skills
• Facilitate decision making and problem solving
• Explore the what-if questions

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Spreadsheets as an enquiry tool

• Spreadsheets engage a variety of mental processes
• Students identify relationships and patterns
• Support problem solving (cognitive effort
  off-loaded)
• Develop understanding of interrelationships
  procedures
• What if capabilities

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Uses of spreadsheets in the classroom

• Examples
• Maths Personal budget
• S E Temperature rainfall
• Science Genetic traits
• PE Health Food groups
• English Running record of reading
• Technology Design Record quantities of
  material needed

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Activity-graphing clothes

• You are to create a spreadsheet of clothes of
  students in the room. Chart the different types
  of clothing and their colours in Excel.
• Plan another activity that you might use with a
  Year 5 class

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What is Inspiration?

• Concept-mapping tool
• Visual thinking tool
• Uses
• brainstorming
• planning
• organising
• outlining
• presenting diagrams
• recording

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Inspiration as an enquiry tool

• Students are able to
• Brainstorm as part of problem solving
• Discover relationships between concepts
• Make decisions judge appropriateness
• Organise ideas
• Clarify what students know and what they need or
  want to investigate

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Why use concept mapping?

• Creation of semantic networks engages students in
  analysis of own knowledge structure
• Integration of new knowledge with what is known
• Explicit description of concepts their
  interrelationships
• Requires clear understanding of relationships

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Uses of Inspiration in the classroom

• Examples
• English Book report
• S E Family trees, government structures
• Science Life cycle of frog
• Technology Planning designs
• Arts Types of art forms
• LOTE Brainstorming topic using foreign grammar
• Maths Exploring shapes

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Activity Flowcharts, idea mapping in Inspiration

• You get a flat tyre on your way home from work.
  You are sitting in the car, it is starting to
  rain. Brain storm each of the individual actions
  that you would take in order to get home safely.

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Data collection devices

• Measurement of physical environment which can
  then be stored for analysis
• Consist of a sensor interface that allows data
  transfer for analysis
• Variety of probes
• Measure pH levels
• Temperature
• Light intensity
• Heart rate

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Why use datalogging?

• Probeware captures events that cannot be observed
  or measured
• Portability of CBL2 (calculator-based laboratory)
  permits data collection in the field
• CBL2s are less expensive than computers
• Provides immediacy interest
• More time spent on higher level thinking

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References

• Jonassen, D.H. (2000) Computers as Mindtools for
  Schools Engaging Critical Thinking.
  Prentice-Hall, New Jersey.
• Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Moore, J. Marra, R,
  2003, Learning to solve problems with Technology,
  Merrill Prentice Hall, NJ.
• Concept to Classroom Inquiry-based learning
  Online, accessed 30 March, 2004 URL
  http//www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/mon
  th6
• Grabe M Grabe C, 2004 Integrating technology
  for meaningful learning, Houghton Mifflin,
  Boston.