In our today’s session we have taken a look at educational software – Which key aspects have to be considered when planning a lesson with educational software?
- What kind of educational software is it?
- What can be said about aspects of design?
- For which age group is it suitable?
- What are the advantages?
- What are the disadvantges?
- In which context can the software be used effectively?
- How can the quality of content be evaluated?
Bookworm
(Source: http://www.popcap.com/games/free/bookworm/?icid=bookworm_HP_OL_6_8_19_08_en; 17/11/09)
1. Bookworm is a kind of puzzle game software in which words have to be created by connecting letters to each other in some way. They can be selected by clicking on them
2. What can be said about the design:
- The game surface is not in the centre of attention due to the fact that there is too much distracting advertisement.
- The surface as well as the font size are too small.
- The game’s appearance is too colourful.
3. The software is basically suitable for all pupils of all ages. However, we would recommend it to pupils from class 5 to 10.
4. A great advantage of this software is that it provides the user with hints how to get started with the game and how to reach a higher score. At the end of the game, an overview of the achievements is given (i.e. longest word, highest score).
5. However, some disadvantges of using this game in class are:
- The user is automatically directed to the German version of the game.
- Words must be known in advance in order to find them. Therefore, the game does not encourage the creation and learning of new words.
- No further explanations of the created words are given (e.g. phonetic transcription, audio example).
6. In which school context can Bookworm be used? In addition to all disadvantages of this educational software, we could not possibly think of an appropriate context in which this game can be used effectively.
7. One of the key aspects which must be taken into consideration is the quality of content:
The content of the software only focuses on words which must be known by the user in advance. This is the only content offered by the game. For an advanced learner of English language this content might become boring after a little while. A beginner, on the other hand, might be quickly overstrained.
Overall evaluation: ♦♦♦♦♦
sirhannes
paulil
quaeschl
Hi,
I have to say I totally agree with your evaluation. During the course of the seminar, my group also stumbled about “Bookworm” and we were nearly as unsatisfied with it as you. I would not use it in school either (basically because of the same reasons that you gave here). So, you really did a good job with this evaluation!
By: sarahe85 on January 26, 2010
at 9:26 am
A really coherent overview over the pros and cons of this website. You picked out the most important criteria. Overall you listed more disadvantages than advantages. Thus, I somehow miss a final statement, whether you liked it after all or not. But I think as a reader you get a quite good impression of this website just by reading your comments.
By: verenaels on January 26, 2010
at 9:30 am
I like your post about educational software and especially your elaboration about the example “bookworm”. Its very helpful to know facts about advantages and disadvanteges as well as the fact that the content might be boring to an advanced learner.
I have to admit that I do not really understand your why you are complaining about the design. I am of the opinion that the software has a good design.
By: Fetzer24 on January 26, 2010
at 9:42 am
You have posted a very interessing article on Bookworm! I have never dealt with this game software before although I like the general idea of using games in my lessons! Your analysis of Bookworm provides the reader with a lot of information about the actual usage of Bookworm as educational software. You checked the key aspects- that’s neccessary and needs to be done- and you made clear that Bookworm is not useful for all grades/ages and that it is not useful for the usage in school…
By: Kati10 on January 26, 2010
at 9:44 am