1. 1
Class 8: Applying Inquiry Based
Learning to ECE ICT
Submit Portfolio Entry #2
Evaluating Educational Software
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2. Week Module Date Topic Assignments
8 4 Oct 31-Nov 4
ICT and ECE: Evaluating Educational
Software (cont’d)
9 4 Nov 7-11 Software Evaluation Presentations Presentations and Reports Due
10 5 Nov 14-18 Software Evaluation Presentations Presentations and Reports Due
11 6 Nov 21-25
ICT and Management: Planning,
Communication and Organization
Recommended Completion of Portfolio
Entry #3
12 Nov 28-Dec 2 Etiquette and Cyber Ethics
Software Eval Wiki Page and Screencast
DUE
13 Dec 5-9 Emerging Technologies E-Portfolios Due (35%)
14 Dec 12-16 Last Week of Classes Test #3: Cyber Ethics and Emerging ICT

3. 3
Review: How can ICT support the goals of
inquiry based learning?
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To answer this question you will need to:
•Identify what the goals of inquiry based learning are.
•Identify a technology that can support these goals.
•Provide an example to prove that the technology works to support inquiry based learning.
Find a software to could be used to develop skills in the following areas:
1. Literacy
2. Numeracy
3. Science
Working in Pairs

4. 4
ICT in Education: Summary
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ICT can be used to engage a child’s natural sense of inquiry and problem solving by facilitating experimentation and exploration
in virtual environments. Wang et al (2009), point out that children use inquiry (asking questions and exploring) in order to
develop their own understanding of the world. Piaget believed that this process required a child to be actively engaged in the
learning process, as they build or alter pre-existing ideas (known as accommodation) with the introduction of new concepts
(known as assimilation). Papert (1980) tested this by designing a computer software environment that enabled children to
conduct a Newtonian physics experiment under ideal conditions: a box in motion continued to move indefinitely until acted
upon by an external force. In video games such as Burried Treasure (Guldi.com), children use trial and error to explore their
environment by trying to find an item that has been shown to them within the virtual environment. In more advanced role
player video games such as Lego Star Wars children must make complex decisions navigating through game preferences as well
as during game play. These example provide children with an opportunity to explore the key question of “what happens when I
do this” and to quickly and easily experiment with multiple solutions, a key component of developing problem solving skills.
(Hoffman and Ritchie 1997)

5. 5
ICT and Inquiry based learning:
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ICT can be used to engage a child’s natural sense of inquiry and problem solving by facilitating experimentation and exploration
in virtual environments.
Wang et al (2009), point out that children use inquiry (asking questions and exploring) in order to develop their own
understanding of the world.
Piaget believed that this process required a child to be actively engaged in the learning process, as they build or alter pre-
existing ideas (known as accommodation) with the introduction of new concepts (known as assimilation).
Papert (1980) tested this by designing a computer software environment that enabled children to conduct a Newtonian physics
experiment under ideal conditions: a box in motion continued to move indefinitely until acted upon by an external force.
In video games such as Burried Treasure (Guldi.com), children use trial and error to explore their environment by trying to find
an item that has been shown to them within the virtual environment. In more advanced role player video games such as Lego
Star Wars children must make complex decisions navigating through game preferences as well as during game play.
These example provide children with an opportunity to explore the key question of “what happens when I do this” and to
quickly and easily experiment with multiple solutions, a key component of developing problem solving skills. (Hoffman and
Ritchie 1997)

6. 6
Discussion:
 How great is the danger that “developmental needs not met through
technology will be ignored or radically compromised: physical play, outdoor
exploration of the community and nature, art, music and dance, social skills,
moral skills and experiencing diversity.”
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7. 7
Item Due Date Includes
Presentation Outline
(15%)
Day of presentation
 name of the softwareURL for where the
software can be found or downloadedA
summary of what you will do in your
presentation (detailed step by step).
Software Eval Report
(10%)
Day of presentation
• - the link to the GOOGLE DOCUMENT of the
full report as well - a copy of the email message
that you will send to the software developer.
NOTE: You must also put a copy of your report
on your software evaluation wiki page.
Presentations: What to Submit

8. 8
What makes a great presentation?
 You need to demonstrate your TPACK (which includes:
 understanding of curriculum content (what is the child learning about)?
 understanding of pedagogy and child development (how do children learn?)
 (what’s the difference between a 2 year old and a 5 year old child?)
 understanding of the technology (what does the software do and WHY?)
 feedback, graphics, set up, transitions etc...
 Need to provide opportunities for hands on learning and for people to be
involved (let people play!!)
 Have a clear beginning, middle and end
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9. 9
Strategies for doing a great presentation
 Everyone in the group should have a role (leader, speaker, time keeper,
supporter, runner etc).
 Everyone in the group should be prepared to take on a different role
 Everyone in the group should have a baseline of information with individuals
having a specialization.
 Should be fun, interactive and thoughtful.
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10. 10
Presentation order
 I will be sending out an email with the presentation order on Wed Nov 9th. So
EACH GROUP should be prepared to present next week. If your group doesn’t
present then you are still done!!
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11. 11
Next Class:
 Prepare for your presentations:
 Complete your report
 Identify the email for the developer and compose your message to them.
 Add your report to your WIKI page
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