[IAEP] Observations and feature requests based on watching a preK class use a computer lab

[Caroline Meeks]

Yes Voice thread is great and used extensively in education.  We of course
need a simpler system.

On Sat, Feb 28, 2009 at 8:12 AM, Tony Anderson <tony_anderson at usa.net>wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Check out http://voicethread.com. I think that is the next level you were
> refering to.
>
> Tony
>
> Caroline wrote:
>
>> Today I visited a computer lab at a school in Boston where 3-5 year olds
>> (the PreK class) were using the computers in the computer lab.
>>
>> The teacher tried to get them to use Kidspirations to look at and stamp
>> bugs
>> but they rebelled. All they wanted to do was use KidPix.
>>
>> We need a paint program that is as cool as KidPix or we will suffer the
>> same
>> fate. They will turn off Sugar and go back to Windows to use KidPix!
>>
>> In Kidpix the students learned that they need to use the mouse and not the
>> keyboard. By the time I left all students had managed to learn to use the
>> mouse to make something on the screen.  I saw some kids make the
>> connection
>> that they had done something with the mouse and it had appeared on the
>> screen.  Some were painting with colors, others were stamping with images.
>> Some kids had learned how to erase the screen and start over.
>>
>> Clearly learning was going on.  I thought to myself, "what would take this
>> lesson to the next level for these students".  I think, based on the
>> interactions the teachers were having as they spent individual time with
>> the
>> students, that it would be valuable to these students to begin to tell
>> stories about their pictures.  It would be cool if the kids could record a
>> voice note when they saved a picture in the journal.  This could help the
>> teachers move them towards telling stories about thier pictures. I think
>> that would in turn motivate them to want to control what they did with the
>> picture more.
>>
>> Our goal with the journal is to get kids to reflect on thier work.  For
>> many
>> of the students in the age range we serve typing that reflection is going
>> to
>> be a challenge and we might well get more thoughtful reflection if they
>> could speak it.
>>
>>
>
>


-- 
Caroline Meeks
Solution Grove
Caroline at SolutionGrove.com

617-500-3488 - Office
505-213-3268 - Fax
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