David J. Farmer - Staffordshire University

Computer Aided Learning - Online Swap Shop

CAL, CSL, CBL & The Online Swap Shop

This documentation is a brief report on the current status of computer aided/support/based learning, the theories behind it and how it will be used in the online swap shop and supporting package that I will create. Hopefully once this report is completed I will have a better understanding of learning technology and the implications of it.

Definitions Of Learning Technology

Learning technology is any form of technology that is used to aid the teaching, learning or assessment of any subject. It comes in many different forms, and is based on many different forms of media. The most popular types of learning technology are those that are computer based, and those of which that allow the contents to be interacted with, using a Human-Computer Interface (HCI).

CAI

Computer Aided Instruction

CAL

Computer Aided Learning

CSL

Computer Supported Learning

CBL

Computer Based Learning

CBT

Computer Based Training

CAA

Computer Aided Assessment

CMC

Computer Mediated Communications

Incorporated within learning technology can be any one or combination of the following categories; practise, tutorials, information retrieval systems, simulators, micro worlds, cognitive tools for learning, productivity tools or communication tools.

Experiential Learning

The whole concept of learning technology is a form of experiential learning. The online swap shop (see later on) is a good example of how young children could learn business and economy in a way that uses a ‘hands on’ approach.

Why The Internet Is Ideal For Learning Technology

The Internet is ideal for the different kinds of learning technology because it is freely available over the world wide web and by the year 2004 it is expected that all UK residents will have Internet access. The Internet itself is something that has become affordable for everyone over the past 2 years, previously it was quite expensive, but now anyone can get a monthly Internet subscription for as little as £10.

Many teachers also use the Internet for teaching, not only because they are told to but because it’s cheap, easy to author & use, attractive, allows for multimedia, allows for remote learning to take place and most of all, because it is fashionable. It also cuts down on the amount of paper based documents that are used within the class room.

Children & Computers

It is fully expected that children above the age of 5 can successfully and beneficially use computers, many children of this age will already use computers at home, whether it be a PC or gaming console, for both educational and enjoyment purposes. Children of around the age of eleven can use much more sophisticated software, and given the right encouragement and reward they will be willing to learn quite complex tasks to gain their advantage. If you take the scenario of a child trying to complete a car racing computer game, the child will learn how to control the car around the hairpin as long as the feedback he/she gains is rewarding enough.
The only problem with introducing children into a learning technology environment is that some pupils will have had more experience with computers than others; however, with correct tutoring this shouldn’t be a problem.

Computers In The Class Room

Although many primary schools do not have lots of computer resources, it is expected that each primary school will have at least one computer to every five pupils. However it has been found that many teachers do not have enough training on computers, and when teaching the pupils it must be essential that the pupils are taught the correct terminology and methodology of doing things, this must be taken into account with any learning technology package.

Overall Conclusion On The Use & Current State Of Learning Technology

Learning technology has dramatically been implemented into the educational system, but in industry it has been used less widely, this is possibly to do with cost and usefulness that learning technology has in any work place, and the cost behind it.

It is much more cost beneficial to introduce a system that will be used by thousands than a system that will be used by only a few.

As for the actual use and design of the system, it must be user friendly, accessible to its audience and have relevant and correct content. What is the point in designing a system that is hard to navigate and when you get to where you want to be the content is inaccurate and poorly written.

Overall I would say that learning technology has more benefits than disadvantages, but it all depends on the cost benefits at the end of the day, no learning technology project will be completed without financial backup.

The Online Swap Shop

The online swap shop for teaching basic business and economy that I plan to create I would class as being a Computer Aided Learning (CAL) project. It takes the form of a communication based simulation.

Why It Is Suitable For Its Purpose

The online swap shop is suitable for its purpose because it allows children to learn business terminology such as cost, value, quality, supplier, barter etc. It also does this in a very fun and practical way, and if implement correctly it should be very user friendly and graphical.

How Children Will Learn From It

Children learn more quickly when they know they are benefiting from it and it serves a purpose, its pure human nature, and by trading items that they don’t want for items that they would prefer and by using a web site that introduces business terms, they would both learn and be rewarded. It also offers something different from normal studying, practice is a natural way to learn things, and even if the child fails to succeed in this way, he/she will learn from there mistakes.

What Style Of Teaching Suits The Swap Shop

The best way to teach using the online swap shop would be to split the study sessions into thirds; one third for the teaching of business and economy, another for use of the swap shop, and the final third to work with the support package (see below). This would nicely even up the studying and practice balance, and keep the pupils interested by varying the way in which they are taught.

How Teachers Could Extend Learning From The Swap Shop

The basics that pupils would learn from using the swap shop can be extended into learning about various secondary topics; retail, service, using the internet etc., could all be taught in addition to the basics of business and economy.

The Supporting Package

The additional Computer Supporting Learning (CSL) package, will teach secondary topics related to business, as previously mentioned, it will take the form of an online series of documentation, that pupils can work through, at the end of the documentation there will be a small test, recapping on the topics previously learnt.

Other Examples Of Online Learning Technology

Below are a few examples of other online learning technology projects, and a bit of information about them.

BBC Schools 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools

Strengths

Due to its massive quite high quality content, most of which is very interactive, this site is an excellent example of CSL, a child couldn't simply learn the entire curriculum from this site, but they could easily use this site to reinforce what they currently know, and use this site for revision.

Weaknesses

Although the site is colourful it is still very corporate looking, and as the site is aimed at ages 4-16, the younger children would find some of the areas a little dull, due to its plain layout.

Overall

This is an excellent educational site for all ages.

Ideas That Are Useful

Small fun images dotted around certain areas of the site, simple navigation that is easy to physically use. Fast download times, to avoid younger children getting easily distracted or disappointed and some nice animation.

Argosphere.net       

http://www.argosphere.net/

Strengths

When compared to the BBC site, this site is relatively dull and seems to lack awful amounts of content, however certain areas of this site are unavailable, unless you are willing to pay for them, I am given the impression that these areas are of a high quality. The site caters for all primary to high school ages.

Weaknesses

Some areas of the site need to be paid for, and the free areas of the site are poor quality. Visually the site is disappointing and certain areas are harder to read. The site takes quite a while to load, and the graphical elements used within it aren't fun enough to make the site interesting to the younger audience.

Overall

I was slightly disappointed with this site as a whole, especially when you realise that the BBC site is much more detailed, curriculum related and entertaining.

Ideas That Are Useful

Some simple animations increase the visual effects of the site, and make certain areas stand out.

Discovery High Speed    

http://www.discovery.com/highspeed/highspeed.html

Strengths

This site has a very ‘hands on' approach to learning, although it doesn't seem to be directly related to the curriculum, this site is a good general reference site for most children aged 8 or above. The site is very well laid out, and it has a science and geography type theme. One of the areas of the site is based on the space station, and it includes a high quality well orchestrated flash introduction screen which gets you interested. Following the introduction you are presented with an interactive guide to the space station, where you can take a tour, read about the astronauts and much, much more.

Weaknesses

Due to the amount of high quality multimedia elements and interaction with the user, you really do need a high speed internet connection to get full benefits from this site.

Overall

An excellent ‘hands on' approach to learning, very original and very interactive, however not all people will benefit from this site due to hardware limitations.

Ideas That Are Useful

Keeping the ‘hands on' learning approach, but losing the long download times.

Kids Corner

http://biology.usgs.gov/features/kidscorner/kidscrnr.html

Strengths

A nice simple layout, that older children would appreciate, lots of links to other web sites that offer quizzes, stories, games and projects all related to biology.

Weaknesses

No actual learning content is based within this web site, but the links are very useful.

Overall

A simple and effective web site that is good to use as a starting point for biology topics for young children, the site would be better if it did have some content of its own.

Ideas That Are Useful

The wide range of links on this site all relating to one subject is excellent; I will include a links page similar to this in my swap shop web site, where pupils can take the subject of business further themselves.

Exploratorium

http://www.exploratorium.edu/learning_studio/

Strengths

A simple but attractive layout, it has quite a few unusual topics such as building structures and about mentally challenging puzzles, but the site seems to be aimed at a wide variety of ages and both pupils and teachers.

Weaknesses

The initial description of the different areas is poor; you actually have to visit each section in order to find out what they are, and what depth they go into.

Overall

A good site, covering some interesting areas, but the navigation could be better and more interactivity could be bought into play.

Ideas That Are Useful

To make the site as fun as possible, even when no interactivity is present.

Conclusion On The Swap Shop Idea

The whole swap shop and supporting documentation package is a great way to introduce the basics of business and economy into the class room. The key to creating the project is going to be to keep it linked in with the curriculum, the teachers and the pupils, and to regulate to some degree what can be traded on the swap shop. Currently there are few learning technology sites on the Internet that are actually hands on learning that is available to all.