Designing Robust Science Instruction: A Model for Thermodynamics

这项调查将测试和完善一个“强大的科学”模型 基于当前对学习和教学的研究， 还将设计和完善有前途的活动和技术工具 用于热力学教学。 建议的一个主要特点是， 科学教学的方法是使用动态模拟， 实时数据收集，以帮助中学生（7-8年级） 分析自然发生的问题，处理热量和温度。 该方法有四个主要组成部分。首先，这些调查人员 建议确定和教授适当的，质量水平的 基于专家解释的热力学解释。 第二、 他们建议为麦金塔电脑创建和改进动态模拟， 并让学生参与分析自然发生的问题。 第三，他们打算帮助中学和大学生， 通过创建“社区”等技术整合信息， 学者”在课堂上，让学生参与预测结果， 帮助教师模拟复杂的解决问题的技巧， 激励学生寻求一些解释性的原则， 类事件。 第四，这些研究人员建议， 满足不同人群需求的方法，包括妇女，西班牙裔， 黑人和学习障碍者的纵向研究 挑选学生。 苹果公司为这个项目做出了重大贡献 计算机公司还有山麓中学

This investigation will test and refine a model of "robust science instruction" based on current research on learning and instruction and will also design and refine promising activities and technological tools for instruction in thermodynamics. A key feature of the proposed approach to science instruction is the use of dynamic simulations and real-time data collection to help middle school students (grades 7-8)to analyze naturally-occurring problems dealing with heat and temperature. The approach has four main components. First, these investigators proposed to identify and teach an appropriate, qualitative level of explanation for thermodynamics based on expert explanations. Second, they propose to create and refine dynamic simulations for the Macintosh and to engage students in analyzing naturally-occurring problems. Third, they intend to help middle school and college student in integrating information by such techniques as creating a "community of scholars" in the classroom, engaging students in predicting outcomes and helping teachers model complex problem-solving techniques, and motivating students to seek a few explanatory principles for a large class of events. Fourth, these researchers propose to tailor their approach to the needs of diverse populations including women, Hispanics, Blacks, and the learning disabled by in-depth longitudinal study of selected students. Significant contributions to this project are being made by Apple Computer, Inc. and the Foothill Middle School.