The Voyages of the Mimi

Critique of Voyages of the Mimi

The electronic learning environment of "The Voyages of the Mimi" consists of three types of software. Included in the program are tutorials, simulations and tools.

Tutorials

The videotapes are used first to gain the attention of the learner and provide motivation to continue. Students begin to identify with the characters and their problems. In the first voyage, the study of whales is the theme under which are variety of learning topics are covered. The accompanying software, Maps and Navigation is then used to build on the skills introduced in the video. As the learners see the crew in the video use latitude and longitude to determine where they are, students are taught these skills in the software, Maps and Navigation . When they see the Captain use the Radar Detector Finder in the video, a lesson in the software teaches students how this works. Students are taught many skills in the Maps and Navigation software such as how to read maps, use a compass, trace the migratory routes of the whales, and determine headings, rate and speed.

A Field Trip into the Sea is a software program that introduces students to the diversity of life in the kelp forest and rocky shore habitat. It contains an activity that challenges students to learn predator/prey relationships.

In the second voyage, the ancient Maya civilization is the theme and the accompanying software, A Field Trip into the Rainforest provides a tutorial experience for the students to learn about rainforests, life cycles, food chains, and measuring mass.

The Explore and Discover software on the laserdiscs and cd roms are tutorials and students can independently explore topics presented in the video. Some students have used this software to teach themselves sign language.

Simulations

The Field Trip into the Sky software is an excellent simulation of the real world phenomena involving the earth, sun and moon relationships. In this software, students can input locations from anywhere in the world, dates from 1 to 3000AD, and any time of the day or night. The software then provides views of the positions of the earth, sun and moon as if looking at them from outer space as well as a view from the ground looking up into the sky toward the North, South, East or West. This gives the student complete control over the complexity of the simulation. The student can simply view positions of the sun, moon and earth at present times and locations and this could be very interesting to some learners. If the student is wondering about the midnight sun and what that might look like, she can input the data necessary, travel to the north or south pole at the appropriate date and time and observe a simulated view of that phenomena. There are also several help features built into the program if the student is having any difficulty.

The Maps and Navigation also has simulations of some of the tools used on a ship. The software simulates the use of compasses and radar detector finders. In A Field Trip into the Rainforest, the software simulates the use of a balance to mass and compare the weight of animals.

Ecosystems is a software program that simulates the challenge of survival on a deserted island.

Tools

Whales and Their Environment and Scuba Science are software and hardware components . They includes readings, activities and experiments using The Bank Street Laboratory, a micro-computer based lab, to study the physics of pressure, temperature, sound and light. The Bank Street Laboratory consists of sensor probes, an interface box, and the computer to gather light, temperature and sound data. Tinker and Papert (1989) see the micro-computer based lab as
...one of the most promising new developments in science instruction that emerging technologies have enabled. With appropriate hardware and software, the micro-computer based laboratory gives students unprecedented power to explore, measure, and learn from the material environment. This power enables the earlier and more thorough treatment of science topics while also fostering process goals. Constructionist use of MBL could show the way to substantially reorganized and revitalized science curricula in which more science was covered much earlier in ways that increased both content and an appreciation of the process of science.

The Field Trip into the Sky software can also be classified as an electronic tool. Contained in this software is a database in the forms of an electronic dictionary, encyclopedia and atlas.

Conclusion

When this ELE is used as intended, all of Gagne's instructional events are represented. Many intellectual skills, cognitive strategies and verbal information can be developed throughout the program. Attitudes toward science and mathematics improves as students see the need in the real world for the concepts that are being learned. Students are also motivated to learn more about science as they are introduced to the diverse group of scientists in the videos. If the probes are used in the micro-computer based lab component, motor skills are developed as they relate to the use of that equipment.

The program does not appear to be static. It continues to be revised since it was first published. The "Field Trip into the Sky" is an example of the powerful new technology that is now possible and utilized in this ELE. After using this cd rom, I would think that the students would not be as interested in the original software, Maps and Navigation and A Field Trip into the Rainforest. It would be great if the older software were revised to keep up with the advances in technology. The characters in the video still seem to be current and the themes are still relevant. The videos have been put on cd roms. I have not had an opportunity to work with the cds. I do not know how easy it will be to access the information on them, as opposed to rewinding the videos to review parts of the story. I feel that Sunburst is doing a great job keeping this ELE current and exciting for use in today's classrooms.

Voyages of the Mimi | The First Voyage | The Second Voyage

Standards and Reform | Implementation | Research and Development | References

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