Piloting new ways of learning: MIT, Tewksbury playing games By Sandra Fletcher/ Staff Writer Thursday, March 17, 2005"Ready,
set, Palms up, go!" was heard through out many science classes at
Tewksbury Memorial High School as students participated in a project
conducted by researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The
main goal of MIT team was fairly straightforward: conduct research
concerning computer games to determine if they can become a tool in the
high school curriculum of the future.
Getting
the researchers out of the lab and into Tewksbury classrooms was the
easy part; they were asked.
Second
year science teacher Allison Bachta heard about the MIT program a year
ago and approached TMHS leadership whether they could participate in
the study. Soon after, the door swung open for the MIT researchers.
Judy
Perry is the research manager with the Teacher Education Program from
MIT and has been working with Professor Eric Klopfer, the principal
investigator on the project, on teaching students to analyze different
information gathered through technological education simulations.
"We
do not want kids just sitting in front of computers," said Perry. "The
Palm Pilots allow them to move about and interact with each other."
The
underlying theme of the "games" is science-based, but not too much as
to scare off any science-phobe.
The
games are designed to teach students to understand and solve a problem
or situation in relation to science as a group or class. The planning
for the project began in the fall and MIT researchers are out in full
force, studying students reactions in different school settings. Once
the school study portion is complete, MIT researchers will gather the
materials and check the strengths and weaknesses of the programs,
hoping to improve them and make this software available to anyone.
"The
idea is to put students in different roles of concepts in science,"
said Perry. "The Palm Pilots take away tedious tasks by using up to
date technology and sparks discussion among the students."
Bachta's
students appeared to enjoy using the Palm Pilots, and after each game
students gathered to discuss their findings.
"This
is a great way to learn the subject matter in a nontraditional style,"
said Bachta. "The technology forces the students to work together with
their observations and analyze the different scenarios."
The
first game was "Predator and Prey," designed to help student understand
the ecosystem. With big fish and little fish, Bachta's students raced
around the classroom looking for food or a good hiding place. After
each game, students discuss why some fish died and the different
variables that played into each game.
"By
the end of the third game, the kids really understood the balance of
the ecosystem and how to maintain that balance," said Bachta.
Elaine
Senechal's class also participated in the study. She feels that her
class enjoyed using the palm pilots and believes that this is
structuring the exploration of technology in a curriculum theme.
With
a science MCAS exam lurking around the corner in the next couple of
years, Perry feels that these games can be useful in sparking new
interests in science.
"This
is a great way to motivate that student who might not otherwise be
interested in science," said Perry. "These games can be adapted to
reach all levels of students with all different kinds of learning
techniques."
The
software for the Palm Pilots is available for free on the MIT web site
at http://education.mit.edu/pda. For the project study, MIT is
providing the software and use of Palm Pilots, but at some point TMHS
will need PDA's for the program, if it is adopted into the curriculum.
The average, off the shelf, a Palm Pilot costs about $100 and that is
the type of equipment MIT has programmed the software to accompany.
"We
know schools have tight budgets and that any technological equipment is
expensive," said Perry. "The average computer can cost up to $1,000 and
we believe that using a Palm Pilot is a better way to accommodate many
students at a lower cost."
The
school will hope to receive a federal grant for the equipment but any
donations would be greatly appreciated. If there are any questions or
donations available people are encouraged to contact Allison Bachta or
Elaine Senechal at 978-640-7825.
]
:: [ Browser Upgrade ]
:: [ Jobs ]
:: Click here for home delivery 
