Chapter 7: Exploring Problem Solving With Software, Apps, and Games

This chapter introduces the notion that learning can be enhanced and even possibly achieved at a higher level when apps and games are utilized within the classroom. 

PROBLEM SOLVING AND INQUIRY LEARNING WITH TECHNOLOGY

Inquiry based learning is something that I will absolutely utilize in my classroom, I think that it provokes the habit of inquiring. This is something that if a student learns to do at a young age, will help them tremendously as adults. It is so important to always wonder, inquire, ask questions, and learn even once there will be no test. So this strategy in the classroom uses real-world situations to inquire. It can be exploring primary sources such as newspapers, census data, historical events, etc (Maloy, 2011). Also according to the article, when students are engaged in researching open-ended problems, they are honing in their "thinking skills, risk-taking, creativity and mental self-discipline". When this is used hand-in-hand with computers or other forms of technology, the student is able to see the possibility of several outcomes and able to consider different solutions to get to that outcome. 

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING

Software is the term for the instructions within the computer while hardware is the basic machinery of the computer (Maloy, 2011). Software is then broken down into two general types, system and application. Software programs include; Adobe, Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, things that make organization and teaching with software possible. Another type of software is the open-source software, this is open to the general public, which means that students can utilize these sources for free, and typically easy use. 

TYPES OF PROBLEM-SOLVING AND INQUIRY-LEARNING SOFTWARE

The first type of software I would like to discuss is the Composing and Calculating Software, this is the basic software including applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel, it uses writing and mathematical calculations to help students become masters in this area. 

The other type of software is used for building and inventing. This is where exploring open-ended questions through technology can come in handy. I will include a project I recently did with QuestGarden.com to help young elementary students explore the Bill of Rights HERE. This would be an example of utilizing technology to help the students inquire about a certain subject. What I found particularly interesting about it is that the educators are able to tweak the lesson to fit any age group. A kindergartner can do a lesson related to the a fifth grader, all with a few minor revisions. 

   Maloy, R. W. (2011). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.