Computational Worked Examples for Scaffolding Student Representational Fluency

技术描述：这个工程教育研究项目的目标是确定计算样例与淡化策略相结合如何有效地发展学生在工程中定性和定量表征的流畅性。这将通过以下目标来实现：目标1：利用对复杂任务学习的研究来开发和实施一组计算样例。目的2：运用设计型研究中的自然调查和准实验调查，考察基础性研究问题。目标3：传播结果，以确保在目标受众中产生广泛影响。基础研究问题是：计算样例如何有效地促进学生从定性表征向定量表征转化的表征流利性的发展？我们将采用基于设计的研究，将现象学方法和定量方法相结合来处理这一调查。这项研究的长期目标是建立一个以证据为基础的综合研究项目，以实践为中心，以人们如何发展代表性流利性为中心，并利用这些知识制定战略，使下一代科学家和工程师能够解决复杂的跨学科问题。广泛的影响和重要性：通过支持医疗保健、能源、经济竞争力和国家安全方面的进步，计算正在对发现和创新产生重大影响。培训和聘用能够成功整合和利用计算的下一代劳动力工程师必须是现代工程教育的一个组成部分，以便为复杂的跨学科工作创造新的机会。计算问题解决结果的图形表示和其他可视化表示对于科学研究以及工作场所工程中的复杂问题的解决都是核心的。具体地说，它们在工程中被用作洞察物质世界的工具，进一步解释有关问题的信息，确定其组件之间的关系，并提供潜在的解决方案。未来的工程师需要培养表象流畅性，即跨不同类型的媒体，以可视化和物理的方式使用计算工具描述问题和解决方案的能力。这项研究的结果将包括一套在工程学科课程中设计和整合计算样例的原则。这些发现将增加工程发现和创新成功的机会，并将有助于美国更快、更好、更有信心地利用计算在工程中的作用。这项研究得到了工程教育和中心部工程教育研究计划的支持。

Technical Description:The goal for this Research in Engineering Education project is to identify how computational worked examples coupled with a fading strategy can effectively scaffold student development of representational fluency across qualitative and quantitative representations in engineering. This will be accomplished through these objectives: Objective 1: Use research on complex task learning to develop and implement a set of computational worked examples. Objective 2: Use naturalistic and quasi-experimental investigations through design-based research to examine the foundational research question. Objective 3: Disseminate results to ensure broad impacts among intended audiences.The foundational research question is: "How computational worked examples can effectively scaffold student development of representational fluency translating from qualitative to quantitative representations?" We will approach this investigation using design-based research coupling phenomenographic methods with quantitative methods. The long-term goal of this research is to establish an integrated evidence based program of research to practice centered on how people develop representational fluency, and to use this knowledge to develop strategies that will prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers to be capable of addressing complex interdisciplinary problems.Broader Impact and Importance:Computing is having major implications in discovery and innovation by supporting advances in healthcare, energy, economic competitiveness, and national security. Training and engagement of the next generation of work force engineers able to integrate and take advantage of computation successfully must be an integral part of modern engineering education in order to create new opportunities for complex interdisciplinary work. Graphical representations and other visual representations of the results of computational problem solving are central to scientific research as well as to the solution of complex problems in workplace engineering. Specifically, they are used in engineering as tools to gain insight into the material world, further interpret information about a problem, identify relationships between its components, and provide potential solutions to it. Future engineers need to develop representational fluency, or the ability to describe a problem and solutions obtained using computational tools visually and in physical terms, across diverse types of media. The outcomes of this research will include a set of principles for the design and integration of computational worked examples in engineering disciplinary courses. Findings will boost the chances for engineering discovery and innovation success and will help the United States take advantage of the role of computation in engineering sooner, better, and with greater confidence.This research is supported by the Research in Engineering Education Program of the Engineering Education and Centers Division.