Probeware and Handhelds in Elementary and Middle School Science

Metcalf, Shari; Tinker, Robert

doi:10.1023/b:jost.0000019637.22473.02

Cited by 48 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…These allow students to learn dynamic relationships and explore behavior that is difficult or impossible to understand by traditional means (Metcalf & Tinker, 2004;Mokros & Tinker, 1987;Thornton, 1987). According to Klopfer, Yoon, and Perry (2005), such simulations enhance motivation, engagement, and self-directed learning (Colella, 2000;Vahey & Crawford, 2002).…”

Section: Future Trendsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Signature Pedagogy: A Literature Review of Social Studies and Technology Research

Beck

Eno

2012

Computers in the Schools

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A literature review of 121 peer-reviewed articles, books, and conference proceedings was conducted to determine the signature pedagogies of social studies education and technology integration. The authors found that the signature social studies pedagogy is based on two primary instructional models: direct-instruction and inquiry-based, student-centered learning. Technology can be used to support both models, although its potential lies more in enabling inquiry-based, student-centered learning. Future trends and study ideas are offered in helping practitioners and researchers to advance technology integration into the signature social studies pedagogy.

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Section: Future Trendsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Signature Pedagogy: A Literature Review of Social Studies and Technology Research

Beck

Eno

2012

Computers in the Schools

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“…Granted, in those curricular units, the sensors are but one technological component, and thus it would not be appropriate to attribute those gains simply to the sensor technologies that were used. Content gains, specifically with respect to science content that was taught with the aid of sensors, or ''probeware'', as part of a carefully designed science curriculum have also been documented and extended elsewhere (Linn and Hsi 2000;Metcalf and Tinker 2004).…”

Section: Microcomputer-based Labs and Probewarementioning

confidence: 99%

An Exploration into How Physical Activity Data-Recording Devices Could be Used in Computer-Supported Data Investigations

Lee

DuMont

2010

Int J Comput Math Learning

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There is a great potential opportunity to use portable physical activity monitoring devices as data collection tools for educational purposes. Using one such device, we designed and implemented a weeklong workshop with high school students to test the utility of such technology. During that intervention, students performed data investigations of physical activity that culminated in the design and implementation of their own studies. In this paper, we explore some of the mathematical thinking that took place through a series of vignettes of a pair of students engaged in analyzing some of their own activity data. A personal connection to the data appeared to aid these students in recognizing their own errors, and ultimately helped them move from a point-based analytical approach for making sense of the data to an aggregate one. From our observations of this designed learning experience, we conclude that physical activity data recording devices can afford students the opportunity to reason with personally relevant data in meaningful ways.

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“…In Savannah (Benford et al 2005), collaborative ecosystem simulations go a step further, incorporating location-aware technology that enables students to role play animal behavior and explore location-based consequences. Using probeware and handhelds has been explored as a viable science teaching method by others as well, for instance, Metcalf and Tinker (2004). In the MIT Thinking Tag Virus simulation game, each player wears a small computational tag that can communicate with nearby tags through infrared links (Colella 2000).…”

Section: Related Work: Physiology Simulations and Multi-user Simulatimentioning

confidence: 99%

Mr. Vetro: A Collective Simulation for teaching health science

Ioannidou

Repenning

Webb

et al. 2010

Computer Supported Learning

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Why has technology become prevalent in science education without fundamentally improving test scores or student attitudes? We claim that the core of the problem is how technology is being used. Technologies such as simulations are currently not used to their full potential. For instance, physiology simulations often follow textbooks by sequentially exposing individual systems such as the circulatory and respiratory systems one at a time, leaving out essential comprehension of system interactions. Moreover, the standard computer lab hides students behind large monitors and ignores the social aspect of learning. We have created a new kind of infrastructure, called Collective Simulations to provide engaging inquiry-based science learning modules that uniquely combine social learning pedagogies with distributed simulation technology. This infrastructure creates immersive learning experiences based on wirelessly connected computers and enables radically different classroom learning experiences that engage students and teachers simultaneously. Collective Simulations allow students to learn about the intricacies of interdependent complex systems by engaging in discourse with other students and teachers. As part of our Mr. Vetro Collective Simulation, students learn about physiology through technology-enhanced role-play. Each group controls physiological variables of a single organ on their computer. A central simulation gathers all the data and projects the composite view of a human. In an example activity, the heart and lung teams collaborate to adjust parameters and reach homeostasis. Results from formal evaluation studies demonstrate a positive impact on scientific inquiry, student learning, and students' interest in personal health issues. This article describes Mr. Vetro and its underlying architecture and presents the evaluation results.

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Probeware and Handhelds in Elementary and Middle School Science

Cited by 48 publications

References 8 publications

Signature Pedagogy: A Literature Review of Social Studies and Technology Research

Signature Pedagogy: A Literature Review of Social Studies and Technology Research

An Exploration into How Physical Activity Data-Recording Devices Could be Used in Computer-Supported Data Investigations

Mr. Vetro: A Collective Simulation for teaching health science

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