Participatory Simulations Network-based Design for Systems Learning in Classrooms

该项目汇集了系统建模的两条研究线-复杂动态系统的研究和参与式模拟的使用。提议者计划在教室里用手持电脑进行动态系统建模。系统建模可以设计成显示不同的交互元素如何随时间变化和进化，以及全局现象如何从这些元素的局部交互中产生，例如有序vs.混乱，随机性vs.确定性。换句话说，这项研究的理论和基于计算机的工具显示了科学和日常世界的变化现象。PI和co-PI将在马萨诸塞州罗克斯伯里和德克萨斯州奥斯汀的初中和高中教室中实施HubNet系统。该系统的原型已经在德州仪器（TI）的帮助下开发出来，并且已经进行了试点测试。它具有上传和下载的灵活性，可以用聚合和基于对象的编程语言运行建模程序。PI将与已有经验的教师合作，或者将给予空闲时间，以获得课堂网络和手持电脑方面的培训。研究人员和他们的研究生将收集有关学生如何使用这套程序工作和学习的数据。该提案提出了一系列主要成果。其中包括：支持和分析HubNet学习结果的包，经过现场测试的仿真包和与传统工具的网络连接，使用参与式模拟作为系统学习手段的基础研究，以及用于HubNet编程的工具集，允许扩展和进一步传播。

This project brings together two lines of research in systems modeling - the study of complex dynamic systems and the use of participatory simulations. The proposer plans to perform dynamic systems modeling that will be used in classrooms with hand held computers. Systems modeling can be designed to show how different interacting elements change and evolve over time, and how global phenomena can arise from local interaction of these elements, e.g. order vs. chaos, randomness vs. determinacy. In other words, the theoretical and computer-based tools from this study show the changing phenomena of science and the everyday world. The PI and co-PI will implement the system, HubNet, in classrooms at middle and high schools in Roxbury, Massachusetts and Austin, Texas. A prototype of the system has been developed with the help of Texas Instruments (TI), and has already been piloted tested. It has flexibility in being able to be uploaded as well as downloaded, can run modeling programs in both aggregate and object based programming languages. The PI's will be working with teachers who have the experience already, or will be given release time to gain the training in classroom networking as well as hand held computers. The researchers and their graduate students will be collecting data on how the students are working and learning with the set of programs.The proposal named a number of major deliverables. Among them were such items as:Package that can support and analyze results of learning in HubNet Field-tested simulation packages and networked connections to traditional tools Fundamental research using participatory simulations as means into systems learning, and Set of tools for programming HubNet that would allow expansion as well as further dissemination.