In Touch with Molecules: Extending Learning with Cyber-enabled Tangibles

该项目的目的是通过五名教师(三所高中和两所大学)以及450名高中生和大学生，在真实的教育环境中检验网络支持的有形工具的能力。该项目评估了使用网络使能的有形工具来加强学生对分子生物学中三个困难主题的理解：(1)蛋白质结构，(2)DNA，和(3)病毒。作为美国分子生物学教学的核心概念，学生经常难以理解分子相互作用是如何导致结构产生功能的。本项目的目的是帮助学生理解结构、功能以及紧急性质和过程之间的映射。因此，这些基于网络的有形工具将测试技术是否会增强和改善难学科目的教学。此外，这项研究还提供了关于这些技术可以有效地传达哪些领域的内容以及适用于哪些水平的学生(高中或大学)的信息。该项目的更广泛影响是潜在的变革性改进，包括医学、药理学、农业、生态教育。这些工具在原子、分子和器官层面促进了计算机与人类的互动。带有标记的手持物品，类似于条形码，使用网络摄像头在计算机屏幕上跟踪和说明不同的属性和特征。研究表明，随着分子生物学的日益突出，人们对促进深度学习和动机的材料和支架的需求也越来越大。为了帮助满足这些需求，该项目汇集了来自顶级研究实体的领导人、认知和学生学习方面的研究人员、科学家、科学教育工作者、教师以及高中生和大学生，以调查网络支持的有形设备如何促进不同和改进的方式来学习分子生物学的核心概念。

The purpose this project is to examine the capabilities of cyber-enabled tangible tools in real educational settings with five teachers (three high schools and two college) and 450 high school and college students. The project evaluates the use of cyber-enabled tangible tools to enhance student's understanding of three difficult topics in molecular biology: (1) protein structure, (2) DNA, and (3) viruses. As core concepts of molecular biology instruction in the U.S., students often have difficulties understanding how molecular interactions result in structures that give rise to function. The intent of this project is to help students understand mappings between structure, function, and emergent properties and processes. Hence, the cyber-enabled tangible tools will test whether technology enhances and improves how difficult subject matter is taught. Additionally, the study provides information about what areas of content can be effectively conveyed with these technologies and for which levels of students (high school or college).The broader impact of the project are potentially transformative improvements in medicine, pharmacology, agriculture, ecology education. The tools promote computer-human interactions at the atomic, molecular, and organ levels. Hand-held objects with markers, similar to barcodes, use a web cam to track and illustrate different properties and features on a computer screen. Research shows that as molecular biology grows in prominence, there is greater need for materials and scaffolds that promote deep learning and motivation. To help meet those needs, the project brings together leaders from top research entities, researchers in cognition and student learning, scientists, science educators, teachers, and high school and college students to investigate how cyber-enabled tangibles promote different and improved ways to learn core concepts in molecular biology.