Collaborative Research: Cyber-enabled Learning: Digital Natives in Integrated Scientific Inquiry Classrooms.

在学校中使用网络资源的情况与学生在校外环境中使用这些资源的实际情况之间的差距越来越大。该项目探讨了信息和通信技术(ICT)作为让学生参与科学研究和加强教师学习的认知工具的潜力。一项超过240小时的全面专业发展计划以及后续调查被用来确定如何支持教师在课堂教学中有效地使用ICT工具，为学生创造有意义的学习体验，缩小正式学习和非正式学习之间的差距，并改善学生的学习结果。在第一年，来自犹他州和纽约学区的六名教师准备成为教师领导和顾问。然后，通过延迟治疗设计，在两年内为三组30名符合特征的教师提供专业发展和现场测试单位。犹他州立大学和纽约理工大学的生物学家开发了四个模块，它们符合两个州的科学标准--第一个是环境的变化。然后，指导教师开发其他模块。该项目将使用的关键技术资源是OpenSimulator 3D应用服务器(OpenSim)，这是一个开源、模块化、可扩展的平台，用于创建具有可定制地形、天气和物理的模拟3D空间。专业发展计划的效果是通过使用RTOP和科学教学中的技术使用(TUSI)的课堂观察、对教师和学生的精选访谈以及对学生学习的有效评估来衡量的。一名外部评估员评估专业发展活动的质量和网络学习资源的质量，并审查研究的设计和实施。一个顾问委员会将监督该项目。这个项目的主要成果将是洞察所需的专业发展，使教师在学生每天使用的各种多用户模拟和通信技术的教学中感到舒适。与OpenSim共同制定的法律还提供了一个机会，来展示在使用选定的网络认知工具(如GoogleEarth和Biologica)形成模块时所需的规划和准备水平。

There is an increasing gap between the use of cyber-enabled resources in schools and the realities of their use by students in out of school settings. This project explores the potential of information and communications technologies (ICT) as cognitive tools for engaging students in scientific inquiry and for enhancing teacher learning. A comprehensive professional development program of over 240 hours, along with follow-up is used to determine how teachers can be supported to use ICT tools effectively in classroom instruction to create meaningful learning experiences for students, reduce the gap between formal and informal learning, and improve student learning outcomes. In the first year, six teachers from school districts in Utah and New York are prepared to become teacher leaders and advisors. Then three cohorts of 30 teachers matched by characteristics are provided professional development and field test units over two years in a delayed-treatment design. Biologists from Utah State University and New York College of Technology develop four modules that meet the science standards for both states -- the first being changes in the environment. Teachers are then guided to develop additional modules. The key technological resource to be used in the project is the Opensimulator 3D application Server (OpenSim), an open source, modular, expandable platform used to create simulated 3D spaces with customizable terrain, weather and physics. The effects of the professional development program are measured by classroom observations using RTOP and Technology Use in Science Instruction (TUSI), selected interviews of teachers and students, and validated assessments of student learning. An external evaluator assesses the quality of the professional development activity and the quality of the cyber-enabled learning resources and reviews the research design and implementation. An advisory board will monitor the project. The principal outcome of this project will be insight into the professional development needed to make teachers comfortable teaching with the kinds of multi-user simulations and communication technologies that students use everyday. The enactment with OpenSim also provides an opportunity to demonstrate the level of planning and preparation that go into fashioning modules with selected cyber-enabled cognitive tools such as GoogleEarth and Biologica.