Pupils’ choice of computer tools as affected by the learning context

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Kordaki, M. (2004). Pupils’ choice of computer tools as affected by the learning context. Journal of Interactive Learning Research, 15(3), 235-255. Norfolk, VA: AACE.
Retrieved from http://www.editlib.org/p/4687.

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Journal Information

Journal of Interactive Learning Research
ISSN 1093-023X
Volume 15, Issue 3, July 2004
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)  Norfolk, VA

More Information on JILR

Author

Maria Kordaki, Adjunct assistant professor, Greece

Abstract

This study investigates the role of basic elements of a learning context namely: the given tasks, the nature of the provided tools, and the pupils’ gender in their choice of tools provided by an open problem-solving computer environment. Pupils’ choice of tools is discussed through the description of an experiment involving the interaction of 30 (14-year-old) pupils with a variety of tools provided by a such an computer environment; the C.AR.ME microworld (Kordaki, & Potari, 1998). These tools were designed to support pupils’ learning of basic geometrical concepts namely; the concept of conservation of area and its measurement. The analysis of the data shows that the diversity of tasks invited pupils to use different tools, and that the nature of tasks asking pupils to solve them ’ in any possible way’ challenged pupils to use all the provided tools in alternative ways. Moreover, the nature of certain tools encouraged pupils to select those most appropriate for their cognitive development thereby expressing different kinds of knowledge they possessed. Finally, all the pupils tried to use more than two of the provided tools to perform each task, while most of them faced difficulties in using these tools in combination. Boys performed better than girls in using a combination of tools.

Keywords

• Evaluation
• Cognition
• Interaction
• Teaching Methods
• Multimedia

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