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Ollie - best practise environmental learning
A new publication called Educational Psychology for Teaching and
Learning, will use the Ollie Saves the Planet program as an example
of useful simulation for learning exercises. The following text appears
alongside the cover of the program:
"Simulation software offers an opportunity for uncovering and examining
learners’ prior knowledge. Students take an active part in interacting
with a simulation, and prior knowledge guides the choices they make.
Observing a student’s choices and discussing reasons for them provides
a rich opportunity for teacher and student to explore the student’s
prior knowledge (Dimock & Boethel, 1999)...The Ollie Saves the Planet
CD-ROM is a fun children’s game, developed by Australian government
and industry groups, that introduces players to the concept of sustainability,
using simulations to focus on such issues as waste, water, energy, air
and biodiversity (see Figure 10.8). Various Australian characters guide
players by introducing them to problems, suggesting solutions and providing
encouragement along the way. A study examining students’ use of
computer simulations found evidence that students were motivated by the
relevance and realism of a task that allowed for multiple solutions (as
many simulations do) (Teague & Teague, 1995)."
10,000 copies of the publication will be printed and distributed widely
amongst the education community in Australia. This is an exciting acknowledgment
that shows both the value of the content of the Ollie Suite of Programs
and their delivery format.
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