From the far flung reaches of the planet praise has been ringing out for Microworlds EX. In Australia Tony Cruttenden, of Melbourne Girls Grammar School, thinks it is “The best open ended, constructionist software. It caters for all learning styles.” And in Northumberland Steve Robson, a KS3 ICT Consultant, considers it “One of the strongest educational tools I have for the teaching of ICT and the engaging of students.”
So what is it? It is like LOGO but does much more than that, but still with that feel of “proper” programming, where the user makes it all happen with commands and procedures. The results include quizzes, presentations and models. Like mixing bits of PowerPoint, Flash and even Paint that let you think beyond all of those and take control of what is happening on the screen.
It can be very challenging, but needn’t be. There is a Junior version that relies on drag-and-drop commands but getting started with the full version isn’t difficult. The screen can seem quite busy with a window for commands, another for building procedures, one for clipart and painting and another for techniques. Similarly each turtle you build has a backpack of its own commands, rules and characteristics. But all of these can be opened and closed as necessary and they add to the feel of being in charge. When you run your creation it is on a clean, black bordered screen with no distractions.
By following the “Project Guide” I had, within an hour of loading, completed a fair simulation of the Pacman arcade game with a character that gobbled up food as it went around a maze and a ghost that destroyed it on impact. I had created sets of shapes for the characters to become dynamic, taught them how to behave, created the maze and set out the food. It was fiddly. I got stuck. I found a work-around. I developed the model and I made it my own. I enjoyed the challenge. This is one of the keys to Microworlds' success.
As Andrew Searle, ICT Co-ordinator at Wensleydale Middle School, found, “As a motivational tool it is superb. Pupils really enjoy using it. It also acts as a conduit to developing their overall ICT skills as they have to react to challenges that occur and investigate possible solutions.”
They’re not just using it for ICT either. The list of subjects is as diverse as Maths, English, Spanish, and Physics with students from Year 3 to A Level. Anything you want to teach really. At Seaton Sluice Middle School Liz Edmundson concludes a cross-curricular French project by creating games, “One particular success was a very demotivated boy who designed a keyboard-controlled 2CV driving around France. For the first time he actually showed some interest in what he was doing.”
Probably the highest recommendation for this product comes from Year 8 pupils. Not the glowing accolade of a grunted, “s’aright” but that several bought it to use at home. How often does that happen with educational software? As Liz put it, “Voluntary homework? What better recommendation can you have?” Quite.
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Contacts and prices
Microworlds
Available from Tag Learning Stand F50
www.taglearning.com
Prices: MicroWorlds EX £59.95 +VAT; MicroWorlds Jr from £29.95 +VAT
Ratings:
Fitness for purpose 5/5
Ease of use 5/5
Features 5/5
Quality 5/5
Value for money 5/5 |
