Sonified Interactive Simulations for Accessible Middle School STEM

残疾学生获得体验式学习的机会往往较少，而体验式学习是优质STEM教育的重要组成部分。基于计算机的科学模拟可以为这些学生提供宝贵的机会，让他们体验和操纵与STEM关键思想相关的自然现象。然而，现有的模拟在很大程度上仍然无法接触到特别是有视觉障碍的学生。与模拟相关的超声技术的最新进展可以使这些学生有一个更完整和真实的体验。声音化是使用非语音，如音乐音调，来表示包括数据在内的视觉信息。这种声音可以在时间和空间上进行操纵，也可以根据振幅和频率变化，以传达传统上更直观地显示的信息。研究人员将迭代开发五种中学物理科学模拟，包括旨在提高所有学习者，特别是那些有视觉障碍的人的可访问性的声音。数据收集活动将包括焦点小组和对学生和教师的访谈，重点是参与。该项目的最终产品将包括声学模拟、专业开发资源、设计指南和范例以及出版物。探索研究PreK-12项目（DRK-12）旨在通过研究和开发创新资源、模型和工具（rmt），显著提高PreK-12学生和教师对科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）的学习和教学。DRK-12计划中的项目建立在STEM教育的基础研究和先前的研究和开发工作的基础上，为拟议的项目提供了理论和实证依据。

Students with disabilities often have fewer opportunities for experiential learning, an important component of quality STEM education. Computer based simulations in science can provide valuable opportunities for these students to experience and manipulate natural phenomena related to critical STEM ideas. However, existing simulations remain largely inaccessible to students with visual impairments in particular. Recent advances in technology related to sonification use with simulations can make it possible for these students to have a more complete and authentic experience. Sonification is the use of non-speech sounds, such as musical tones, to represent visual information including data. Such sounds can be manipulated temporally and spatially and can also vary by amplitude and frequency to convey information that is more traditionally displayed visually. Researchers will iteratively develop five middle school physical science simulations to include sonifications aimed at enhancing accessibility for all learners, but particularly for those with visual impairments. Data collection activities will include focus groups and interviews with students and teachers focused on engagement. The end products of this project will include sonified simulations, professional development resources, design guidelines and exemplars, and publications. The Discovery Research PreK-12 program (DRK-12) seeks to significantly enhance the learning and teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by preK-12 students and teachers, through research and development of innovative resources, models and tools (RMTs). Projects in the DRK-12 program build on fundamental research in STEM education and prior research and development efforts that provide theoretical and empirical justification for proposed projects.