Appendix D

Questionaire given to teacher of History about using the simulation ‘Fletcher’s Castle’ on Nimbus computers
Information gathered: 15/7/98

This questionaire was given to a History teacher 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?	To help them understand the strategies used by the Normans when they built castles following the conquest. To give pupils practice in problem solving as a team. To provide variety and an element of competition.
What do you like about the program?	Pupils love it. Follow up work feeds into wider topic...how the Normans established control. Pupils seem to remember principles later because of problem solving nature of the activity.
Do you think the students enjoy using the program?	YES They are always on task throughout the lesson. Many go back to do it again in their own time. Many write on reviews that this was their favourite activity.
What do you want your students to learn by using the program?	See answer to first question
What do you want them to learn about Motte and Bailey castles by using the program?	Considerations when choosing a site The stages in which they were built What they looked like What had to be taken into account in their building
Name two things you think the students should know when they have finished using the program.	Something about the complex processes of building these castles.
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.)	No
Do you think there are any advantages to using a computer simulation to teach students about Motte and Bailey castles?	It's the closest you can get to 'hands on' experience It appeals to all levels of ability and is 'doable' at some level by every pupil.
Do you think the computer simulation helps the students learn about Motte and Bailey castles? Why or why not?	Yes because it sets out the processes very clearly and gives pupils the chance to make decisions which would have had to have been made in real life at the time.
Any other comments?	I am worried that this useful programme will not be available new computer network.

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