27/12/12 - Computer Programming and Games Based Training

The aim of this seminar was to develop an understanding of the education benefits relating to 
the use of modelling software in the classroom. I believe this was done successfully.

What modelling means in the context of ICT is to investigate the 'what if..' 

Modelling is used everyday by manufacturing companies to test out their products at the initial concept stages of their designs. Any thing from a basic drinks carton to a something such as a car go through a modelling process before they are released to the world.

The use of modelling in schools has been supported by the National Curriculum as the two extracts below show.

Key stage 1

2d. Developing ideas and making things happen

Pupils should be taught to try things out and explore 
what happens in real and imaginary situations [for 
example, trying out different colours on an image, 
using an adventure game or simulation].

Key Stage 2

2c. Developing ideas and making things happen to use simulations and explore models in order to answer ‘What if … ?’ questions, to investigate and evaluate the effect of changing values and to identify patterns and relationships [for example,simulation software, spreadsheet models].

Logo and Scratch

As you can see from the example below, Logo allows you to create interesting patterns by setting commands. Logo is more than using mathematics to create patterns. Logo enable you to think about how 
you are doing what you are doing. Constructionism is a key theory to Logo as the process of the creation is more valuable than the final product as it is believed that the how a design was created provides more educational understand than the design itself. Scratch can be described as more interactive and sophisticated tool than Logo but in a sense does the same thing. You can insert many commands for your avatar to follow. With scratch you can create interactive stories and games which can be shared online. 

Logo

                                                                                            

Scratch

These are very simple tools which give children the opportunity to do computer programming at the simplest level.