Investigating Immersive Simulation Science Activities in Large Scale Multi-User Online Environments

我们探索性研究的目的是通过研究沉浸式模拟的潜力来扩展科学探究的研究。在沉浸式模拟中，例如疾病爆发的情况，参与者不仅在模拟中扮演角色，而且通过虚拟自我或化身直接受到模拟的影响。为了让身临其境的模拟成为一种有效的学习体验，学生对模拟的探究需要得到支撑。这项研究使用了大约800名怀维尔用户的大规模分层随机样本，考虑了年龄、性别和参与程度；它开发和改进了在线工具，以支持疾病模拟的协作调查和解释的开发。这项研究将考察：(1)沉浸式科学模拟的教育影响，(2)教育社区为多用户在线环境开发的已建立的基于网络的探究工具的采用；以及(3)在线和线下支持结构的性质，这些支持结构适用于教室、课后计划和提供访问怀维尔等场所的家庭等环境中的科学探究。

The purpose of our exploratory research is to expand the study of science inquiry by investigating the potential of immersive simulations. In immersive simulations, such as the case of a disease outbreak, participants not only act out roles in a simulation, but through virtual selves, or avatars, are directly impacted by the simulation. For immersive simulations to be an effective learning experience, students' inquiry into the simulation needs to be scaffolded. This study uses a large stratified random sample of about 800 Whyville users accounting for age, gender and level of involvement; and it develops and refines online tools to support the collaborative investigation of disease simulations and the development of explanations. The study will examine: (1) the educational impact of immersive science simulations, (2) the adoption of established web-based inquiry tools developed in the education community for multi-user online environments; and (3) the nature of online and offline support structures for science inquiry in settings such as classrooms, after school programs, and homes which provide access to places like Whyville.