Logo Spider

This morning's ICT lesson was an introduction to the programming software, Logo. This is the spider in a web that Will, Lucy and I were very proud to create! Logo is an ideal constructivist learning tool as it provides the opportunity for trial and error. I'm intrigued as to which age this program will best suit, seeing as our group spend a long time on some of the tasks! I imagine it would be most suitable for KS2 children. Apparently it's free to download, but I haven't found where to do that yet. There is a detailed wikipedia page though!

Today's lesson did remind me of one aspect of teaching and learning that I want to reflect on. I do not do well under time pressure when 'competing' against other people. When told to create a square, or a triangle etc, I would immediately go into panic mode and my mind would just be thinking 'you've got to work it out, do it now', without thinking through the ways in which to achieve the task. I had confidence in my ability to be able to draw the triangle given the calm time work through it. But knowing that others would be working it out quicker, froze my brain. I guess I am just a competitive person. A logical conclusion I feel would be when setting tasks, to give a list of them to be worked through gradually at the learner's own pace, moving onto the next one when they were ready. But what about the theory of breaking down the tasks and not over-facing the learner at the start. A long list of activities can put anyone off even attempting in the first place. And what about the time issue element. You don't want children dawdling and not getting on with the task if they know there is no time limit. Surely there still has to be an incentive to get the job done?

One other thing we looked at in this lesson: EPS - Electronic Portfolio System. Another place that work can be saved. Also useful to have one more backup, especially at assignment time!