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ERIC Number: ED250176
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1984
Pages: 26
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Teaching Logic to Children: An Exploratory Study of "Rocky's Boots." Assessing the Cognitive Consequences of Computer Environments for Learning (ACCCEL).
Burbules, Nicholas C.; Reese, Philip
Rocky's Boots (RB), an educational game developed for use with Apple computers, is widely considered to be one of the most imaginative and engaging pieces of educational software currently available. RB presents an introduction to the logical concepts of AND, OR, and NOT. Players incorporate these concepts into arguments which are modeled as "machines." This study examined: how students responded to this cognitively challenging and complex game; if they would proceed into the game without external instruction or encouragement; if students with prior computer experience were more proficient at RB; if there was any transfer of skills from RB to linguistic logic problems (or vice versa); and if it was possible to assist students in solving the more difficult problems by providing certain general hints and rules of analysis. Findings, among others, indicate that RB is an engrossing game that students found intrinsically enjoyable and that although the style of interaction with RB differs between boys and girls, both groups showed equal levels of enthusiasm and enjoyment. Recommendations for classroom use of RB (such as offering hints to students after allowing them to explore, experiment, and solve problems) and suggestions for further study are included. (JN)
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Researchers
Language: English
Sponsor: National Inst. of Education (ED), Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: California Univ., Berkeley. Lawrence Hall of Science.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A