Case Study X

Appendix C

Questionaire given to Head of History Department about using the simulation ‘Fletcher’s Castle’ on Nimbus computers
Information gathered: 9/7/98


This questionaire was given to the Head of Department to fill in. This program has been used for the last few years by this teacher, who is familiar with using it with many year 7 classes.

Questions

Answers

Why do you use the Fletcher’s Castle simulation with your classes? a) It enables them to empathize with the Normans, working under pressure to establish control.
b) It involves decision making, which is good intellectual practice.
c) It involves teamwork – good training for subsequent lessons.
d) It is fun.
e) It provides a variety of activity.
f) It is short and self-contained.
g) It requires nothing to be taken into the classroom.
h) It requires very little preparation.
i) It is very user-friendly; kids can work on their own which is good for them at start of Year 7 when have a tendency to revert to less independent behaviour.
What do you like about the program? See b to I above!
Do you think the students enjoy using the program? Yes. At first they have fun getting it all wrong, then when they grasp the tricks, they really try to beat the computer. ALL can easily become involved.
What do you want your students to learn by using the program? a) How difficult it was for the Normans to establish their control in local areas – not just a walkover.
b) To reinforce the appearance, and quick, cheap, efficient nature of an Motte and Bailey castle
c) Then social and intellectual skills – see answer 1b and c
What do you want them to learn about Motte and Bailey castles by using the program? a) To reinforce appearance
b) To grasp their suitability for the situation in which the Normans found themselves
c) To remind that all castles were not elaborate/ornate/ fairy - tale
Name two things you think the students should know when they have finished using the program. a) Normans had to work fast and think logically to survive
b) Motte and Bailey castle good for initial situation in which they found
themselves.
Are there any things you would like to change about the way the program works?
(questions it asks, information it contains, the way it is set up, etc.)
a) I would like it to work faster.
b) I would like fewer screens, but think this would probably make it harder for Year 7.
c) One is pressing C for continue the whole time.
Do you think there are any advantages to using a computer simulation to teach
students about Motte and Bailey castles?
a) Working through a problem is infinitely more interesting, more stretching, and more educationally valid than just being given information about it.
b) You also get the non-subject specific skills – decision-making, teamwork, discussion, logical thinking.
c) It put you THERE – it is the nearest we have to a time machine.
Do you think the computer simulation helps the students learn about Motte and Bailey castles? Why or why not? Yes. More likely to remember something they have worked out for themselves. It is true they may remember the program rather than the castle, but because they remember the program, the information about the castle can easily be elicited by questioning.
Any other comments? There should be more interactive simulations. Using a computer to look up facts is daft – all it is is a non-portable codex…..not as good as a book. But the interactive simulation is something ONLY a computer can do.


Assignment Quick Links
Title Page | Introduction | Contents | Case X Literature Review | Case Y Literature Review
Introduction to Cases | Case Study X | Case Study Y | Conclusions | References | Appendices