VLE-STAR: Virtual Learning Environment for Scientific Thinking in AstRonomy

该项目正在为本科生天文学课程的实验室经验开发学习材料，利用现有技术的进步和我们对学习的社会性质的理解。这些学习材料作为概念验证单元，展示了3D虚拟学习环境(VLE)与社交互动相结合的力量，以增强科学学习，使其更吸引人、更活跃、更直观和更有效。VLE是一种交互式计算机系统，它将学生与主题、教师和同学的体验联系在一起。概念验证单元包括使用3D虚拟现实帮助学生与科学结构互动、使用协作学习工具激发学生活动、加深理解和支持知识构建，以及使用过程支持机制使教学得以切实实施并指导学生制定有效和高效的工作计划。示范单位和VLE的目标是通过学习开普勒定律的含义以及在互动环境中月球运动和月食的性质，发展对科学的基本理解，即什么是科学以及它是如何工作的。该项目的关键步骤是：1.开发两个概念验证学习单元，以展示实施综合VLE的潜力，该VLE包括3D虚拟科学探索、用于社交网络和班级管理的协作系统以及用于促进工作过程和社交学习的通知系统。2.在开源环境(Croquite、Sakai、Cans)中实施概念验证单元，以利用现有技术，支持所需的定制，最大限度地发挥传播、扩展和广泛影响的潜力。3.实地测试单位和VLE，以改进设计和实施，并得出传播、推广和广泛影响的影响。智力价值：关键成果是新的、创新的学习材料，体现了3D探索、社交学习和实验室教学的整合。该项目通过加深我们对学习系统的虚拟和社会方面的设计的理解，并通过测试这项工作对学习结果的支持程度，为开发学习材料和VLE提供了智力基础。广泛的影响：鉴于需要改进和扩大理科实验教学，以及需要帮助非理科专业的学生进行科学思考，拟议的项目正在开发可以直接服务于天文学课程的学习材料，并说明如何在大专和中等教育中利用3D和社会环境进行其他数学和科学学习。3个开放源码系统的使用使项目材料和影响可供科学教育和学习技术界使用和推广

The project is developing learning materials for laboratory experiences in an undergraduate astronomy course, which utilize advances both in technologies available and in our understanding of the social nature of learning. These learning materials serve as proof of concept units demonstrating the power of combining 3D virtual learning environments (VLEs) with social interaction to augment science learning so that it is more engaging, active, visual and effective. VLEs are interactive computer systems that mediate the students experience with the subject matter and the instructor and fellow students. The proof of concept units include the use of 3D virtual reality to help students interact with scientific constructs, the use of collaborative learning tools to motivate student activity, deepen understanding and support knowledge building, and the use of process support mechanisms to enable realistic implementation of the instruction and guide students to effective and efficient work plans. The demonstration units and VLE target developing a basic understanding of science, i.e. what it is and how it works, through learning the meaning of Kepler's law and the nature of lunar motions and eclipses in an interactive environment. The key steps of this project are: 1. Develop two proof of concept learning units to demonstrate the potential of implementing an integrated VLE comprising a 3D virtual science exploration, a collaborative system for social networking and class management, and a notification system for facilitating work process and social learning. 2. Implement the proof of concept units in open source environments (Croquet, Sakai, CANS) so as to leverage existing technology, support needed customization and maximize potential for dissemination, extension and broad impact. 3. Field test units and VLE for improving the design and implementation and to draw implications for dissemination, extension and broad impact. Intellectual Merit: The key outcomes are new, innovative learning materials that exemplify an integration of 3D exploration, social learning, and laboratory teaching. The project contributes to the intellectual basis for developing learning materials and VLE by furthering our understanding of design for virtual and social aspects of learning systems and by testing how well this work supports learning outcomes. Broad Impact: Given the need for improving and extending laboratory teaching for the sciences and the need for helping non-science majors to think scientifically, the proposed project is developing learning materials that can directly serve courses in Astronomy and serve as illustrations of how 3D and social environments can be used for other math and science learning in post-secondary and secondary education. The use of 3 open source systems makes the project materials and impact available for use and extension across the science education and learning technology communities