An Inquiry-Based Simulation Learning Environment for the Ecology of Forest Growth

基于计算机的自然现象模拟是特别有效的教育工具，特别是当融入实地和实验室的经验。研究人员建议建立和评估教育软件，模拟树木和森林生长以及自然和人为环境干扰对森林生长的影响。我们希望在整个马萨诸塞州西部进一步推进基于探究的科学教学实践。一个探究为基础的教育理念已经深深嵌入到学术结构，以及在教师的教学方法。在这个机构基础上，我们增加了与NSF资助的五所大学PALMS和STEMTEC计划的合作。这些计划已经建立了研究人员，教师教育计划，并在当地K-12学校的实践教师之间的关系，并将使我们在当地的本科生以及高中教育产生重大影响。在评价领域的一项创新性贡献是将联合收割机评价方法与教师教育结合起来，职前和在职科学教师将进行一些以课堂为基础的测试。实习教师将作为媒介，将模拟技术和基于探究的教学方法引入现有的教室。研究结果，包括软件、学生和教师辅助材料以及评估结果，将通过一个专门的网站分发。这项工作的贡献之一将是在开发一种方法来表示模拟公式，适用于任何学科领域的教育模拟。虽然大多数教育模拟都是“黑匣子”，不允许学生检查或操作潜在的公式，但我们的软件将包括一个公式检查器，允许学生更深入地解决四种类型的探究问题：“如果”，“关系”，“为什么”和“建模”。' DUE主题解决：教师准备，技术与教育，教师发展的整合。

Computer-based simulations of natural phenomena are particularly effective educational tools, especially when integrated into field and laboratory-based experiences. The investigators propose to build and evaluate educational software that simulates tree and forest growth and the effects of natural and human-created environmental disturbances on forest growth. We hope to further advance inquiry-based science teaching practices throughout Western Massachusetts. An inquiry-based educational philosophy is already deeply embedded into the academic structure, as well as in the faculty's teaching methods. To this institutional foundation we add collaboration with the NSF-funded Five-College PALMS and STEMTEC programs. These programs have built relationships between researchers, teacher education programs, and practicing teachers at local K-12 schools, and will allow us to have significant impact in local undergraduate as well as high school education. An innovative contribution in the area of evaluation will be to combine evaluation methodology and teacher education.Pre-service and in-service science teachers will carry out some of the classroom-based testing. The student teachers will serve as vectors for introducing both the simulation technology and the inquiry-based teaching methods into existing classrooms. The results of the research, including software, student and teacher support materials, and evaluation results, will be distributed via a dedicated web site. One of the contributions of this work will be in developing an approach to representing simulation formulas that is applicable to educational simulations in any subject area. While most educational simulations are 'black boxes' that do not allow students to inspect or manipulate the underlying formulas, our software will include a Formula Inspector that will allow students to more deeply address four types of inquiry questions: 'what if,' 'relationship,' 'why,' and 'modeling.' DUE themes addressed: teacher preparation, integration of technology with education, faculty development.