EcoXPT: Designing for Deeper Learning through Experimentation in an Immersive Virtual Ecosystem

Autor/inn/en	Dede, Chris; Grotzer, Tina A.; Kamarainen, Amy; Metcalf, Shari
Titel	EcoXPT: Designing for Deeper Learning through Experimentation in an Immersive Virtual Ecosystem
Quelle	In: Educational Technology & Society, 20 (2017) 4, S.166-178 (13 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1436-4522
Schlagwörter	Teaching Methods; Middle School Students; Case Method (Teaching Technique); Vignettes; Educational Technology; Technology Uses in Education; Computer Simulation; Ecology; Environmental Education; Science Education; Cooperative Learning; Natural Resources; Science Experiments; Science Process Skills; Inquiry; Transformative Learning; Learner Engagement; Critical Thinking + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Middle school; Middle schools; Student; Students; Mittelschule; Mittelstufenschule; Schüler; Schülerin; Case method; Fallmethode; Unterrichtsmedien; Technology enhanced learning; Technology aided learning; Technologieunterstütztes Lernen; Computergrafik; Computersimulation; Ökologie; Umweltbildung; Umwelterziehung; Umweltpädagogik; Naturwissenschaftliche Bildung; Kooperatives Lernen; Natural Ressource; Natürliche Ressource; Pädagogische Transformation; Kritisches Denken
Abstract	Young people now must compete in a global, knowledge-based, innovation-centered economy; they must acquire not just academic knowledge, but also character attributes such as intrinsic motivation, persistence, and flexibility. To accomplish these ambitious goals, the National Research Council (2012) of the United States recommends the use of "deeper learning" classroom strategies. These include case-based learning, multiple representations of knowledge, collaborative learning, apprenticeships, life-wide learning, learning for transfer, interdisciplinary studies, personalized learning, connected learning, and diagnostic assessments. Immersive media (virtual reality, multi-user virtual environments, mixed and augmented realities) have affordances that enhance this type of learning. EcoXPT is an inquiry-based middle school curriculum on ecosystem science that invites students into immersive experimentation with scaffolding tools that support deeper learning. This includes a "case-based approach" situated in an unfolding eutrophication scenario in which students learn new information from their observations over space and time, speaking with virtual characters in the world, and gathering information in the field guide and other sources. "Diagnostic assessments" of students' progress are based on multiple sources, including process data from various types of logfiles. "Multiple varied forms of representation" convey perceptual, graphical, and experimental data, enabling students to investigate relationships between variables. Students are "apprenticed" in the ways of knowing of ecosystems scientists, which involves "interdisciplinary knowledge." Students "collaborate" in teams of two, subdividing the tasks of gathering evidence. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	International Forum of Educational Technology & Society. Available from: National Sun Yat-sen University. Department of Information Management, 70, Lien-Hai Rd, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan. Web site: http://www.ifets.info
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01