Visual Modeling: A New Experimental Science

计算机建模正在成为实验和理论的标准工具。它被用于研究极其复杂的过程，范围从质子的内部结构到星尘的形成和衰变。它可以成为一个有启发性的来源，让我们对以前无法理解的复杂现象的结构和行为有创造性的见解。它有望在物理、化学、遗传学、气象学、人口学和其他领域提供重大突破。通过使用强大的新型建模工具，将过程结构和行为的可视化表示与学生对过程交互控制的有效支持相结合，可以使高中生能够访问和理解建模。该项目的主要目标是开发这些工具并评估其促进科学洞察力和理解的有效性。首先将描述不同类型的模型和模型在研究中的各种用途，以帮助确定最引人注目的教育干预机会。将研究不同形式的表示的使用和表达能力，并确定在使用建模时出现的关键认知问题。将分析当前可用的各种建模工具，以确定其有效应用的范围，并确定对新工具的需求。然后将开发一个建模实验室，由一套连贯的工具组成，用于科学课程，以及一套初步应用的初步课程材料。工具和材料的形成性评估将与一组精选的学生一起进行。

Computer modeling is becoming a standard tool for experiment and theory. It is being used to study extremely complex processes, ranging in scale from the inner structure of the proton to star duster formation and decay. It can be an illuminating source of creative insights about the structure and behavior of complex phenomena that were previously inaccessible. It is expected to provide dramatic breakthroughs in physics, chemistry, genetics, meteorology, demography, and other fields. Modeling can be made accessible and comprehensible to high school students through the use of powerful new kinds of modeling tools that combine visual representations of process structure and behavior with effective support for student control of process interactions. The major goal of this project is the development of such tools and an evaluation of their effectiveness of fostering scientific insight and understanding. The different types of models and the varied uses of modeling in research will be described first, to help define the most compelling opportunities for educational interventions. The uses and expressive power of different forms of representation will be investigated and the key cognitive issues that arise in the use of modeling will be identified. The various modeling tools that are currently available will be analyzed to identify their scope of effective applications and to determine the need for new tools. A modeling laboratory comprised of a coherent set of tools for use in the science curriculum will then be developed, together with preliminary curriculum materials for a set of initial applications. A formative evaluation of the tools and materials will be conducted with a select group of students.