The effect of external representation on constructing computer models of complex phenomena

Computer modeling – creating executable modelsof science domains – has been recognized as animportant teaching method. Still not much isknown about the factors making modelingenvironments effective in use. We investigatethe effect of different externalrepresentations on the construction of computermodels. Representations can significantlyinfluence the processes of modeling. In orderto find the specific benefits of two differentrepresentations, we compare dyads working on acollaborative modeling task using a text-basedmodel representation, in which correctequations are required to make the model run,with others using a graphical representation,in which the model is built by qualitativelylinking variables. The learners, secondaryschool students and modeling novices, workedwith the representations on a task in thedomain of physics. Results indicate that thetwo representations induce differentbehaviours, which are appropriate for differentphases of the modeling process.     

Design principles for support in developing students’ transformative inquiry skills in Web-based learning environments

The aim of this explorative study was to find the factors limiting sixth-grade learners’ outcomes in acquiring skills related to the transformative inquiry learning processes as well as to analyse the interrelations between inquiry skills in order to develop an optimal support system for designing Web-based inquiry learning environments. A Web-based learning environment ‘Young Scientist’ was developed and applied to the domain of integrated science. The skill of identifying the correct research questions appeared to be a prerequisite for formulating research questions. When students understand how to identify the research questions correctly, there is no need for supporting formulation of research questions or hypotheses. We have found that at the stages of analysing data and inferring, students have to be provided with the tools to activate their prior knowledge, assignments help to organize their work into manageable sections, and reflective support or adaptive feedback to relate the results achieved with the process of inquiry. Our findings demonstrate that the effectiveness of inquiry learning can be strongly influenced by regulative support; however, a particular level of initial inquiry knowledge in theoretical context is also needed in order to develop inquiry skills in a situational context.     

基于计算机学习环境下的自我调节学习

自我调节学习是学习者获得成功学习的重要因素,因此如何促进和利用学习者的自我调节学习能力就成为基于计算机的学习环境设计的关键问题。欧洲电子学习网络推出的iClass项目以自我调节学习的理论与模型为指导,充分促进了自我调节学习的实现。未来基于计算机学习环境的设计可以从多个方面促进学习者的自我调节学习。     

社会文化视角下的语言学习策略

学习策略长期以来得到了二语习得领域的学者关注,然而在过去,通常都是从认知的角度来解读这个概念。但从认知角度来研究学习策略存在着一定的局限性。通过对认知和社会文化角度的学习策略研究进行对比,分析了传统的学习策略研究的局限性。与此同时,介绍了社会文化主义理论在学习策略研究上的应用,以分享目前有关学习策略研究新方向的信息,进而引起国内学习策略研究者对于从社会文化理论为指导的学习策略的实证研究的关注。     

A Case Study of Elementary Science Teaching as Mediated Action: Transformations of Context,Meaning, and Action

The research described in this article is a case study of a fifth grade teacher's (Melissa) efforts to construct a teaching and learning environment within her science teaching. Qualitative research methods were used to examine and analyze Melissa's science teaching practice. Drawing from socio-cultural theories, I argue that her teaching and learning environment was constructed as a form of mediated action through which she articulated and transformed the context, meaning, and action of her science teaching. In particular, she forged links between a number of factors, such as historically recognizable forms of pedagogy, perceptions of her students' socio-economic positions, knowledge of appropriate science teaching, and her experiences in a preservice teacher education program. Through her pedagogical work, the teaching and learning environment was articulated into a complex network of meanings, physical spaces, and concrete actions in which each element transformed the other. I suggest that mediated action is a form of transformation that constitutes context, meaning, and action into a dynamic and constantly-shifting teaching and learning environment. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

共建教师发展的开放学习环境--探索以网络为中介的研究型课程的教师教育模式

在上海市二期课改的进行中,增设了拓展型与研究型（探究型）课程等新的课程模式,相应地对教师提出了新的要求.如何帮助教师尽快地理解改革的新理念,适应改革的需要,承担起改革的重任,已成为教师教育的当务之急.本项目研究正是从当前新形势下教师教育面临的新问题出发,试图利用学习科学的研究成果,从共建教师发展的开放学习环境着手,探索一种新的学习型、参与型的教师教育模式.该模式的主要特点是立足真实活动,在教师与学生共同参与的过程中,在与社会的积极交往中,在整合各种形式的资源中,以主题性网络为中介,帮助教师学会学习,在学习中成长,在学习中发展.     

探究学习及其基本要素的研究

本文首先从国内外历史的维度上提出了探究学习的问题 ,在此基础上对探究学习的内涵、探究学习的基本构成要素以及在小学阶段如何开展探究学习进行了论述 ,以此来说明探究学习不仅是学生的一种学习方式 ,更是学生的一种生存方式。     

Game Design Narrative for Learning: Appropriating Adventure Game Design Narrative Devices and Techniques for the Design of Interactive Learning Environments

The purpose of this conceptual analysis is to investigate how contemporary video and computer games might inform instructional design by looking at how narrative devices and techniques support problem solving within complex, multimodal environments. Specifically, this analysis presents a brief overview of game genres and the role of narrative in popular adventure game design, along with an analysis of how narrative supports problem solving in adventure games. Additionally, an analysis of the underlying structure used in game design for developing narratives is presented along with design heuristics for constructing narratives for educational purposes.     

Learning Environments and Learning Styles: Non-traditional Student Enrollment and Success in an Internet-based Versus a Lecture-based Computer Science Course

Colleges and universities are increasingly using information technologies to enhance the learning environment. Many educational institutions offer Internet-based on-line courses in an effort to meet the educational needs of students. The primary goal of this research was to determine if there is a relationship between students' preferred learning environment (i.e. face-to-face or on-line) and their learning style. The secondary goal was to determine if there were any differences in the academic success of students in the face-to-face versus on-line sections. Participants were adult (ages 22+ years), non-traditional computer science students given the option to take a face-to-face lecture-based or an on-line Internet-based computer science course. Results revealed that computer science students in the face-to-face learning environment were more likely to have the Assimilator learning-style, whereas computer science students in the on-line Internet-based learning environment were more likely to have the Converger learning-style. Student academic success did not reliably differ as a function of learning environment selection. Implications of these results are discussed in terms of learning style characteristics of computer science students, learning styles and gender differences and implications of student academic success in on-line vs face-to-face environments. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

1980年后“探究”思想在我国中学物理教学中的发展

1980年以来,物理教学中始终关注培养学生的能力,在教学中也尝试运用问题教学法、发现学习法和探究式教学法,这些方法中都包含有探究的思想．新一轮课程改革所提倡的探究学习方式是这一思想的继承和超越．     

数学研究性学习问题探讨

准确理解数学研究性学习的内涵 ,是数学研究性学习能否得到真正实施的关键。改变数学教学方式是改变学生学习方式的基础。数学教师应重新调整自己的角色意识 ,在平时的数学教学活动中培养学生的自主性     

浅谈高校开展面向学科门类的计算机基础课程的必要性

信息化高度发展的今天,以通识性教育为主的计算机基础课程的改革势在必行。本文从根据学科门类设置不同课程体系的计算机基础课程改革的角度为计算机基础课程的改革提供了思路、方法。     

计算机在微积分教学中的作用例谈

计算机应该在微积分教学改革中发挥作用。而且,我们更需要从实例的角度对它的作用进行探讨,以便举一反三。文章结合微积分的教学,从计算机的使用目的、方式与层次等三方面阐述了计算机在教学中的作用:构建基于计算机的实验探究环境,实现微积分知识的多重表示与联系,以达到理解微积分的目的。     

构建学生自主探究的物理学习模式的探索

提高学生物理探究能力,是培养创新型人才的必然要求。共同协商、自主探究的物理学习模式以物理学习中知识的自主建构为目标,包括自主确定探究目标、自主设计探究方案、合作背景下的自主探究、自主反思和总结四个基本要素。教师要转变角色,激活学生自主探究欲望,为学生自主探究引导方向,搭建阶梯,拓展自主探究的空间,以提高学生自主探究能力。