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。它被用来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。它可以成为关于以前无法理解的复杂现象的结构和行为的创造性见解的启发性来源。预计它将在物理、化学、遗传学、气象学、人口学和其他领域带来巨大突破。通过使用强大的新型建模工具，将流程结构和行为的可视化表示与对学生对流程交互的控制的有效支持相结合，可以使高中生能够轻松理解建模。该项目的主要目标是开发此类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以及建模在研究中的不同用途，以帮助确定最引人注目的教育干预机会。将研究不同形式表示的用途和表达能力，并确定建模使用中出现的关键认知问题。将分析当前可用的各种建模工具，以确定其有效应用范围并确定对新工具的需求。然后将开发一个由一套用于科学课程的连贯工具组成的建模实验室，以及用于一组初始应用的初步课程材料。将由选定的一组学生对工具和材料进行形成性评估。

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.