b.
Evaluating the Resources Used
Generally,
the following range of questions may be applied to ICT based learning
resources:
-
How much resource-specific learning does the teacher have to
do to make the resource work in the classroom, and is it worth
it in terms of time and effort spent and saved?
- How
easy is it for pupils to 'see through' the resource to the subject
specific learning he want them to experience?
- How
technically and practically robust and stable is the resource
when being used repeatedly under different circumstances and
by different learners?
- How
generally applicable is the resource-content, and can the teacher
adapt it once he is familiar with the resource?
- How
well does the resource integrate with other resources and teaching
methodologies he uses as a matter of course?
In
this case study, the software had a number of features which were
useful for the work. In addition to the standard spreadsheet features
of cells, formulas and replication, it was also able to display
data in large text, colour the background of a cell, and insert
a message into a particular cell depending on the value in another
cell, using the IF function.
However,
there were some disadvantages in setting up the material, as it
was not possible to prevent formulas being displayed or to prevent
pupils putting values into cells which had labels or formulas
in them. These features were available in MS Works and would have
been very helpful in avoiding minor difficulties with the function
machines.
There
were some problems with the software that the teacher had not
predicted. One problem, which arose several times, was that pupils
typed the letter O in a cell when they meant to put the value
0. The spreadsheet gave an error message when the pupil tried
to evaluate a formula using this cell. When they realised what
they had done, they erased the O and typed 0, but the spreadsheet
still behaved as though the cell contained letters! Not knowing
what to do to fix this, he adopted his usual approach of "Let's
see if we can solve this problem together". They failed, however,
and he had to tell the pupils to load up the original spreadsheet
and start again.
He
found out from the IT Co-ordinator later how to fix it, ready
for the next lesson. Next time, he shall try to predict everything
that the pupils might do wrong and find out in advance how to
get out of this sort of mess.
Questions
for Consideration
- What
are the advantages of hiding formulas and locking/protecting
cells?
- Are
there any disadvantages?
- Realistically,
you cannot anticipate every difficulty which may arise.
- How
will you deal with the unexpected problem which you don't know
how to solve?
 c.
Adapting the Resources for Different Learners or Work
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