Expanding PhET Interactive Science Simulations to Grades 4-8: A Research-based Approach

该项目将开发和研究科学模拟(简称SIMS)对中学生理解科学和科学过程的影响。该项目将调查：1)模拟设计的特点(例如，界面设计、视觉表征、动态反馈和模拟中的隐含支架)如何影响参与和学习，以及对这些设计特征的反应在不同年级和不同人群中有何不同；2)不同的模拟教学整合模式如何影响学生与模拟的互动、他们所学到的东西以及他们为未来学习做的准备；3)这些互动在年级和不同人群中有何不同；以及4)需要哪些关键的教学特点，特别是在支架的类型和水平上。该团队将与老师们合作，挑选25名现有的SIM卡进行研究。教师和学生将接受采访，以测试内容领域的可用性、参与度、解释和学习。目标将是确定成功的设计替代方案，并制定通用的设计准则。同时，抽样调查和基于课堂的研究将调查各种使用模式及其对学习的影响。然后将开发10个新的模拟来测试这些指导方针。产品将包括35个SIM卡，以及网站上免费提供的相关支持材料；收集学生使用SIM卡的实时数据的新技术；以及为这个年龄段的人群开发SIM卡的指南。该团队还将发表关于学生如何从模拟人生中学习的研究。

The project will develop and study the impact of science simulations, referred to as sims, on middle school childrens' understanding of science and the scientific process. The project will investigate: 1) how characteristics of simulation design (e.g., interface design, visual representations, dynamic feedback, and the implicit scaffolding within the simulation) influence engagement and learning and how responses to these design features vary across grade-level and diverse populations; 2) how various models of instructional integration of a simulation affect how students interact with the simulation, what they learn, and their preparation for future learning; 3) how these interactions vary across grade-level and diverse populations; and 4) what critical instructional features, particularly in the type and level of scaffolding, are needed. Working with teachers, the team will select 25 existing sims for study. Teachers and students will be interviewed to test for usability, engagement, interpretation, and learning across content areas. The goal will be to identify successful design alternatives and to formulate generalized design guidelines. In parallel, pull-out and classroom-based studies will investigate a variety of use models and their impact on learning. Ten new simulations will then be developed to test these guidelines. Products will include the 35 sims with related support materials available for free from a website; new technologies to collect real-time data on student use of sims; and guidelines for the development of sims for this age population. The team will also publish research on how students learn from sims.