Children, we are told ad nauseam, will learn through games. Will they? The material I have seen so far has not been promising.
You can judge for yourself by checking out RM's forthcoming "virtual reality island" for geography, Easilearn Geography Island, a program that stirred my enthusiasm. It's what follows in RM's Easiteach series, and it is material structured for individuals, pairs or groups. The philosophy is constructivist: learning by doing. Personally, I think that attaching geography to the title might be a mistake. It can be used far beyond geography.
You land Lord of the Flies-like on an island. One of your tasks is to find somewhere to build a settlement. Students are asked to choose their settlement from numerous locations. Characters in the software provide the pupils with information on their choices and, through trial and experience, they work out the best place to settle. It's not easy. There are enemies, human and animal. This way, pupils learn geography skills and also what makes a successful settlement. Plus, valuable literacy skills are developed as they talk and negotiate.
It's a green island with hills, valleys, beaches, rivers and streams. As pupils use the mouse to move around Easilearn Island, they use a simulated digital camera to capture key features. The software prompts them to make notes to justify their decisions at significant points within the activities, and provides tools to help. So they build up a wide-ranging record of places visited and decisions taken. This record enables pupils to reflect upon their learning both during and after their experience.
I must emphasise that the software, when I saw it, was still in development. It could well be better when you see it, and by the time it's launched in the middle of 2006 it could be superb.
It is aimed at upper primary. Check out my enthusiasm and go to the to the RM stand at BETT to see how far the software has developed.
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RM Stand E50/D50
Tel: 08709 086969 (primary)
Tel: 08709 086868 (secondary)
www.rm.com
Price: TBA |
