SBIR Phase II: An Online Professional Development Science Game for Pre-Service and In- Service Teachers

这项SBIR第二期计划将加强小学职前和在职教师的科学内容知识，并增加他们在教授科学方面的有效性。研究表明，许多小学教师存在严重缺陷？缺乏对科学主题的概念性知识，这种对科学的理解的缺乏抑制了他们有效教授科学的能力。研究还表明，学生从对教学内容理解能力较强的教师那里学到的东西比从理解能力较弱的教师那里学到的更多。该项目利用认知心理学、基于游戏的学习和多媒体学习理论的研究，创建基于问题的情景和内置评估，挑战教师解决问题并确保他们掌握科学原则。通过提高教师素质？通过对科学的理解，该项目因此将提高学生的表现，并为学生提供不仅在科学领域，而且在工程和技术领域从事职业所需的基础知识。越来越多的年轻人进入科学和技术领域不仅对进入这些专业职业的个人产生影响，而且还对国家-S的生产率、竞争力和税基产生影响，因为科学技术是美国经济创新和增长的关键驱动力。产品是一个基于网络的学习系统，由一套基于探究的活动组成，旨在(A)加强职前和在职小学教师的科学知识，(B)增强他们教授科学的信心和热情。为了激励学习者，该产品包括一个引人入胜的3D艺术和基于游戏的科学学习活动的总体科幻叙事。所有科学内容都符合下一代科学标准以及课程重点，并为学习者提供关于他们对科学的理解的即时和容易获取的数据，包括程序和概念。由于学习者对叙事性和互动性科学实验的投入，他们较少关注作为一种教学工具的干预以及他们在科学理解方面的不足。在参与过程中，学员将仔细地完成6个难度级别，并根据表现无缝地上下移动。此外，学习者还会在学习过程中获得奖励，以进一步激励他们参与进来。

This SBIR Phase II project will enhance the science content knowledge of elementary school pre-service and in-service teachers and increase their effectiveness in teaching science. Studies show significant deficiencies in many elementary teachers? conceptual knowledge of science topics, and this lack of scientific understanding inhibits their ability to teach science effectively. Research also shows that students learn more from teachers with strong comprehension of the subject matter being taught than from teachers with weak content understanding. Using research from cognitive psychology, game-based learning, and multimedia learning theory, this project creates problem-based scenarios and built-in assessments that challenge teachers to solve problems and ensures that they grasp scientific principles. By improving teachers? understanding of science, this project will therefore improve student performance and give students the foundational knowledge needed to pursue careers not only in science, but also in engineering and technology. Increasing the number of young people entering scientific and technical fields has an impact not only on the individuals entering these professional careers, but also on the nation?s productivity, competitiveness, and tax base since science and technology are key drivers of innovation and growth in the U.S. economy.The product is a Web-based learning system consisting of a suite of inquiry-based activities designed to (a) strengthen the science knowledge of pre-service and in-service elementary teachers and (b) increase their confidence in and enthusiasm for teaching science. To motivate the learner, the product includes an overarching science fiction narrative with engaging 3D art as well as game-based science learning activities. All science content aligns with The Next Generation Science Standards as well as curriculum focal points and provides learners with immediate and easily accessible data on their science understanding, both procedural and conceptual. Because learners become engaged by the narrative and interactive science experiments, they are less focused on the intervention as a teaching instrument and on their deficiencies in scientific understanding. During engagement, learners are carefully scaffolded through 6 levels of difficulty, and move up and down the levels seamlessly based on performance. Also, learners collect rewards along the way to further motivate them to engage.