To my mind, the evaluation sheet for analyzing learning software was very helpful for our group helping us to examine the learning programmes. A first, I thought that such an evaluation sheet would be unconvenient and inappropriate for the scrutiny of softwares made for children., but I changed my mind rapidly. To be honest, I never worked with such learning programmes in during my schooltime and therefore only had a vague idea of them: Ithought that they were simply structured "question – answer – games". This turned out to be completely wrong. Both programmes were really complex software programmes differentiaating from each other in many points. Confronted with such a media source, such a sheet was very adjuvant for an orientation.
Additionally, it had another important advantage: the evaluation sheet makes it possible to compare various programmes even if they have completely different structures. So we could compare "Englisch kinderleicht mit Julius und Calico" which hass the particular feature of a cartoon in which the learner can participate and try to improve his English skills " and the learning programme "Teen Talk" which doesn`t focus on such playful approach. This is only one of numerous differences which was salient for every user. On the sheet were items like "Programme – Tranparency" or "Multimedia – Balance" being supportive for an objective analysis.
In my opinion, both of the programmes mentioned above can be recommended, but I think that "Englisch kinderleicht mit Julius und Calico" would be more advisable for smaller children (Grade four/five) because it helps kids to establish basic vocabulary skills. in contrast to that, "Teen Talk" focuses on listening comprehension. and therefore would be valuable for older students (Grade seven / eight) using it to train communicative skills. That`s why I am a bit irritated because both programmes are made for a similar field of age (9 – 12 vs. 10 – 11).
On the basis of fact that the two programmes put emphasis on completely different items, I think that they are only partly comparable but I would like to mention that the "Englisch kinderleicht…" software has one disadvantage which can be quite annoying for pupils who aren`t versed in using computer programmes: It can be hard for them to get the software started and therefore could lead to frustration, particularly smaller kids could quickly lose patience (even the patience of our "analysis group" was tried…:))
I think that such learning programmes are appliable in many ways but I hold the view that it has to be a kind of supplement to the "normal" lessons of the teacher. For example he could draw the aattention of his students to certain issue – areas of a particular software programme.In such a way he could try to make sure that the students use it effectively.
June 2, 2009 at 6:43 am |
Hi!
You had an interesting introduction to your blog task. I think it’s a good idea to start with your own experience. The general difference between the two programmes comes clear. I think you could describe them a little more detailed to give a better understanding of what you were working with. I think you made a good point when you said that “Englisch kinderleicht mit Julius und Calico” is more appropiate for younger children. I think this is a problem often found among learning software, they are sometimes too playful for the target age-group.
bye bye
annika