THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 20, 1994 TAG: 9411180172
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Education
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 98 lines
Playing computer games and watching videos are not the after school treats they once were.
In fact, through a unique program known as ``Animal Pathfinders,'' these two activities have become learning tools in sixth- and seventh-grade science classes at Princess Anne Middle School as well as other middle schools in the area.
``I'm interested in technology,'' said gifted resource teacher Jim Loeffler, who introduces new programs such as ``Pathfinders'' and implements them in the school. ``I think it's an important part of the science curriculum.''
``Animal Pathfinders'' consists of four laser discs, each having thousands of individual pictures and short video clips dealing with various aspects of life science. Students can research everything from animal life to tundra with this program, while teachers can use the available activities in class lectures.
``I want teachers to feel comfortable with new programs,'' Loeffler said. ``I think this is a very easy one for them to start out with.''
Some of the activities fit right into the sixth-grade science curriculum. One of the objectives is for students to learn how humans and animals interact.
One of the popular activities that meets this requirement is a game called ``Turtle Mystery.'' During this game students play reporters looking for eight threats to loggerhead turtles. They have to find information and plane tickets in a professor's office, fly to Florida and explore beaches, all to find the eight threats needed to complete the game.
The technology needed for this activity includes a laser disc player with a TV monitor. The player is connected to a Macintosh computer that has software to run the game.
The software used is a Hypercard program that uses a mouse. On a recent day in Steve Strausbaugh's sixth-grade class, players moved the mouse around the screen, clicking on various images.
The computer interacts by asking the players questions, running animations, showing pictures or playing video clips from the laser disc. Narrated images of loggerhead turtles in action are seen on the TV every time a threat is found.
The computer is also connected to a liquid crystal display panel, which projects the computer screen through an overhead projector, so the whole class can participate in the game.
The students often jump out of their seats, offering suggestions as to where to go to next or who to talk to during the game to find the threats. A group sigh is common when the teacher has to wrap it up.
``They're very highly motivated on computer technology,'' Loeffler said. ``They grew up on it.
``This is the video generation,'' he added. ``They respond to the TV screen.''
``Turtle Mystery'' can be completed in one class period, if the correct choices are made. However, if players don't find all eight threats in one period, the computer saves what has already been done and restarts where the class left off the next day.
``It's very interactive and very informative,'' Loeffler said. ``Even though the kids think it's a game, they're learning something. This makes learning fun.''
Since last year, when Loeffler introduced the set up to seventh-grade classes, the teachers have become more and more receptive. ``As soon as they see how easy it is,'' he said, ``they're more than willing to try it in their classrooms.
``My goal is to get more of the teachers technologically literate,'' Loeffler added. ``We're on a good path.''
For those who are not familiar with the latest technology, the equipment can be very intimidating. ``One teacher referred to it as a `technological dog and pony show,' '' Loeffler said. ``It runs so nice . . . it breaks through that fear they have.''
The administration has been equally as supportive. ``I think it's doing beautifully in the school,'' said Alexander Dill, eighth-grade assistant principal. ``It does great things. Technology in education has made great advances.''
``Animal Pathfinders'' is not the only laser disc collection in the school. Loeffler said there are at least 10 more within the school and more than 100 available to schools at the media center downtown.
Loeffler plans to bring more of this new technology into the school in the future. If not, he will feel as if he's doing tomorrow's leaders a disservice.
``Computers are these kids' future,'' he said. ``If we're not using computers in our teaching, we're not doing our job.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos by HOLLY WESTER
Gifted resource teacher Jim Loeffler helps Michells Wedeman, 11,
left, and Jennifer Shelton, 10, play ``Turtle Mystery'' on a
computer.
Teacher Steve Strausbaugh
by CNB