|
|
Graphical Modelling
Spex is great for teaching graphical modelling in ICT, it's also the
ideal platform for computer modelling and the rather more abstract
spreadsheet modeling.
|
|
A simple simulations and modeling software |
|
 |
Spex is an easy
simulations and modelling software giving children experience of using ICT in very practical
and familiar situations. By designing a room with furniture 'objects' on the computer, students get to grips with Graphics Modelling
QCA Unit 5 in a real life context.
It is a simple design software to model or simulate real life situations,
like planning rooms in a house which is
easy to understand. |
|
Spex is a tool to model or simulate a real situation, which is easy
and familiar to understand, for pupils as young as 4 or 5 years old!
Spex allows children to model imaginary rooms into which they place
furniture, move things around, change their minds and see the overall
cost. This is modelling without all the hassle of doing it for real.
Pupils ask and answer the question “What will
happen if?” For instance, “If I put an extra bed in the
bedroom, will there be enough room? How will it look? Will there be enough
money left over in the budget? Read the article 'what
is computer modeling?' |
|
|
Learning to manipulate graphics is an important part of the Graphical Modelling strand of the
National Curriculum for ICT and Spex is useful to help
address the QCA Unit 5A (Graphical Modelling).
As children plan the layout of the room in Spex, they choose furniture
from a library of graphics and when they arrange the furniture in the room
they will select, drag and drop, move, rotate, copy and paste all the
different graphical elements.
A popular QCA Unit 5 project is to design a classroom. |
Spreadsheet Modeling
Spreadsheet modelling is quite an abstract concept to grasp, especially
for young pupils. Spex provides a valuable bridge to this area of modelling with a simple spreadsheet display.
The Spex spreadsheet displays the names of the furniture used in the
design together with prices and the total cost. When items of furniture
are added or removed from the design this is reflected in the spreadsheet.
Read more about Spex Spreadsheet Modeling. |
|
|
How easy is it to learn?
No problem! Pupils already know how to use Spex. It seems that no
matter what the skill of the user, Spex is a winner in the classroom! |
|
What about younger children?
Spex is a proven asset in the hands of younger children and they love
using the program. The software is also a common choice among Special
Needs schools. |
|
|
"Spex + is my
favourite
game
I like spex
because it is cool
and you
get to design
a setting like
a room
or a road."
Year 5 pupil |
|
