Digital Badge #E - Ch 7

Teaching Problem Solving with Computers

It's great how students are able to learn through games, learning sites and apps. However, when the game/program gives a student multiple times to answer, the student can keep clicking any answer till they get it right; then they can go on the the next problem. "They can easily try again when their initial responses are not correct." I see this as a down fall because students can just click on answers and now read the question and then they will not learn anything. I know some computer learning activities only give you so many tries, then it's on to the next question but when the student goes back to redo the game they might remember what the wrong answers were. 

Higher-Order and Lower-Order Thinking

Higher order games can be better it can give children more of a challenge on problem solving. They may also give a small challenge to the students it the class who may be advanced. for the students who need more help the lower-order games can work for them until they are able to catch up or the game is not a challenge for the student. "Educational games and app players need a dynamic experience in which they must think creatively and critically while finding new and challenging experiences each time they play the game."

Evaluating Computer and Video Games

Educational games can be very entertaining for some students. There are families out there where parents don't allow children to play any type of game on a computer or game system. When it comes to working on an academic activity on the computer the student may enjoy it. If a student has a chance to play a edutainment game they can have more fun problem solving. "Lower-order thinking skills (remembering and understanding) emphasize recall of fact information. Higher-order skills (create and evaluating) emphasize using information for analysis and action." I remember when I was in school I played the game Organ Trail. (I don't remember the game to well.) The family would go on trips and along the way they had to do missions. This was a fun game for me because we didn't have a computer or game system back then. I think no matter what game you play or are working on you can learn something from a mission you do.

 Conclusion:

When students are problem solving on computers make sure they are understanding the answers they choose and not just guessing to get the right answer. Let the students choose a game they would like to learn from but give the choice or a game/activity that would give the student more of a challenge. 

Resources:

Maloy, Robert W.. Transforming learning with new technologies. 2nd ed. Boston: Pearson, 2014. Print.