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Students play science games in Allison Bachta's class. (Photo by Sandra Fletcher)
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Piloting new ways of learning: MIT, Tewksbury playing games
By Sandra Fletcher/ Staff Writer
Thursday, March 17, 2005

&quot;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.
     

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