A Virtual Exploratorium to Support Inquiry-based Learning in Geoscience Courses

虚拟探索馆或VE（一种基于万维网和光盘rom的教育资源）解决了国家对地球科学中基于探究的材料的要求，这些材料在介绍性调查水平上适用于各种教学方法。我们的金字塔框架方法通过科学探索与广泛的地球科学社区相关的地球科学现象和过程，即火山和板块构造，促进理解；飓风及其与海洋和陆地的相互作用；以及流体可视化。我们通过关注基本原则、根据这些原则建立的构建块以及通过使用构建块探索的过程，开发了解决这些现象和过程的综合场景。在VE中，有以学习者为中心的科学建模和可视化工具，使用这些工具的基于发现的课程元素，一系列相关现象的数据集，以及基本科学概念的虚拟百科全书。这些组件是利用快速发展的桌面计算能力和万维网的先进科学建模和可视化能力创建/改编的。更简单的流体模型和可视化正在开发中。VE材料是根据地球科学社区和国家咨询小组的专业知识开发的，包括：1)认知、学习理论和科学教育；2)先进的可视化和数值模拟；3)评价与考核。材料将在10个机构进行评估，包括4年制、2年制和代表性不足的地学机构。这些材料将继续保存在伊利诺伊大学和PAGE，并将通过我们的网站和cd访问。我们还为寻求将这些工具纳入其课程的教师提供支持。PAGE提供了一个在全国范围内分销产品的独特机会。

The Virtual Exploratorium or VE (a World Wide Web and CD ROM-based educational resource) addresses a national call for inquiry-based materials in the geosciences at the introductory survey level adaptable to a variety of instructional approaches. Our Pyramid Framework approach fosters understanding through scientific exploration of geoscience phenomena and processes relevant to the broad geoscience community, i.e., volcanoes and plate-tectonics; and hurricanes and their interactions with oceans and land; and fluid visualizations. We have developed comprehensive scenarios addressing these phenomena and processes through a focus on fundamental principles, building blocks established from these principles, and processes explored through the use of building blocks. Within the VE there are learner-centered scientific modeling and visualization tools, discovery-based curricular elements that use these tools, a series of data sets of relevant phenomena, and a virtual encyclopedia of basic scientific concepts. These components are created/adapted from advanced scientific modeling and visualization capabilities that utilize rapidly evolving desktop computing capabilities and the World Wide Web. Simpler fluid models and visualizations are being developed. VE materials are developed with input from the geoscience community and a national advisory group with expertise that includes: 1) cognition, learning theory, and science education; 2) advanced visualization and numerical modeling; and 3) in evaluation and assessment. Materials are being evaluated at ten institutions including 4-year, 2-year and underrepresented institutions representative of the geoscience community. The materials will continue to be maintained at the University of Illinois and PAGE, and will be accessible through our website and CDs. We also provide support to faculty seeking to incorporate these tools into their courses. PAGE provides a singular opportunity to nationally distribute the products.