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恒星尘埃的形成和衰变。它可以成为关于复杂现象的结构和行为的创造性见解的启发性来源，这些现象以前是无法访问的。预计它将在物理、化学、遗传学、气象学、人口学等领域取得重大突破。通过使用强大的新型建模工具，高中生可以访问和理解建模，这些建模工具将过程结构和行为的可视化表示与对学生控制过程交互的有效支持相结合。该项目的主要目标是开发这类工具，并评估其在促进科学洞察和理解方面的有效性。首先将描述不同类型的模型和建模在研究中的不同用途，以帮助定义最引人注目的教育干预机会。将调查不同表现形式的使用和表达能力，并确定在使用建模时出现的关键认知问题。将对目前可用的各种建模工具进行分析，以确定其有效应用的范围，并确定对新工具的需求。然后，将开发一个由一套连贯的工具组成的模拟实验室，用于科学课程，以及一套初步应用的初步课程材料。对工具和材料的形成性评估将与选定的一组学生一起进行。

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.