Using+Technology+to+Support+H.O.T.S.

An example of technology promoting a higher level of thinking is the Oregon Trail. This is an interactive game that allows students to travel the Oregon Trail as if they were part of the "New World" and were migrating to the west coast. They have to use the tools and supplies that were available back then. This allows students to really get a feel for how it was traveling back in the 1700's. You are successful in the game if you complete the journey and everyone one in your party made it safely but if you are not careful you could lead your group of travelers down a deadly road. Having consequences and rewards make the game life like and it promotes students to come up with the best way to travel which helps build problem solving skills. The game also meets the educational objects at the top of Bloom's Taxonomy. This game helps you remember and understand the life back then as well as the traveling difficulties of the trail itself. Also, it allows students to apply, analyze, and evaluate how to survive a journey of that magnitude with such limited resources. However, most importantly it allows students to be creative. Students can choose how they want to travel, what supplies to bring/buy, and what ways to take on the trail. Overall the Oregon Trail is a great example of a technology promoting a higher level of thinking.