Validating A Pedagogy For Conceptual Learning: Application in Internet Delivered Physiology Experiments

在这个试点项目中，首席研究人员与501(C)(3)非营利性组织PhysioSim合作，正在开发一个软件基础设施，在此基础上建立一系列基于计算机的生理学模拟/教程，基于“建立-测试-改进”的心理模型范例。这个过程旨在帮助学生识别他们当前的知识(当前的心理模型)，测试该模型，并根据测试过程的结果对其进行改进。作为“概念证明”的第一步，在线模拟将支持这种教学方法，这个项目正在创建和测试一个基于模拟的教程，处理心脏周期的事件。七名生理学教育研究联盟的同事和他们的本科生理学学生正在测试该教程，然后就易用性、内容的适当性以及使用该工具可能产生的任何潜在混淆领域提供定期反馈。涉及的机构包括：圣华金三角洲学院、卡尼修斯学院、尼亚加拉大学、埃德蒙兹社区学院、威斯康星大学密尔沃基分校、西雅图大学和华盛顿大学。这个试点项目的智力价值在于，它提供了一个具体的例子，说明如何在课堂实践中实施“构建-测试-提炼”心理模型教学法。这一努力的更广泛影响在于它有可能证明这种方法是帮助学生进行有意义的学习并因此促进概念变化的有效策略。

In this pilot project the Principal Investigators, in collaboration with PhysioSim, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, are developing a software infrastructure on which to build a series of computer-based simulation/tutorials in physiology based on the "build-test-refine" mental model paradigm. This process is designed to help students recognize their current knowledge (current mental model), test that model, and refine it based on the results of the testing process. As a first step in "proof of concept" that on-line simulations will support this teaching approach, this project is creating and beta testing a simulation-based tutorial dealing with the events of the cardiac cycle. Seven Physiology Educational Research Consortium colleagues and their undergraduate physiology students are testing the tutorial, and then providing periodic feedback with respect to ease of use, appropriateness of the content, and any potential areas of confusion that may be generated by use of the tool. The institutions involved include: San Joaquin Delta College, Canisius College, Niagara University, Edmonds Community College, the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Seattle University and the University of Washington. The intellectual merit of this pilot project is that it provides a concrete example of how the "build-test-refine" mental model pedagogy can be implemented in classroom practice. The broader impact of this effort lies in its potential to demonstrate that this approach is an effective strategy to help students engage in meaningful learning and, hence, promote conceptual change.