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

该项目正在为本科天文学课程的实验室经验编写学习材料，其中利用现有技术和我们对学习的社会性质的理解方面的进展。这些学习材料作为概念单元的证明，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，使其更具吸引力，活跃，视觉和有效。VLE是交互式计算机系统，它将学生的经验与主题以及教师和同学联系起来。概念单元的证明包括使用3D虚拟现实来帮助学生与科学结构进行交互，使用协作学习工具来激发学生的活动，加深理解和支持知识构建，以及使用过程支持机制来实现教学的现实实施并指导学生有效和高效的工作计划。演示单元和VLE的目标是通过在互动环境中学习开普勒定律的含义以及月球运动和日食的本质，对科学有基本的了解，即科学是什么以及它是如何工作的。该项目的关键步骤是：1.开发两个概念学习单元的证明，以展示实施集成VLE的潜力，包括3D虚拟科学探索，社交网络和班级管理的协作系统，以及促进工作流程和社会学习的通知系统。2.在开放源码环境（Croquet、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，并最大限度地发挥传播、推广和广泛影响的潜力。3.现场试验装置和汽液平衡，以改进设计和实施，并得出传播、推广和广泛影响的含义。 智力优势：其主要成果是新的，创新的学习材料，它将3D探索，社会学习和实验室教学相结合。该项目有助于开发学习材料和VLE的知识基础，进一步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如何支持学习成果。广泛影响：考虑到需要改善和扩展科学实验室教学，以及需要帮助非科学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，并作为3D和社会环境如何用于其他数学和科学学习的例证中学后和中学教育。3个开源系统的使用使项目材料和影响可供科学教育和学习技术社区使用和推广

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