Factors promoting engaged exploration with computer simulations
written by
Noah S. Podolefsky, Katherine Perkins, and Wendy K. Adams
This paper extends prior research on student use of computer simulations (sims) to engage with and explore science topics, in this case wave interference. We describe engaged exploration; a process that involves students actively interacting with educational materials, sense making, and exploring primarily via their own questioning. We analyze interviews with college students using PhET sims in order to demonstrate engaged exploration, and to identify factors that can promote this type of inquiry. With minimal explicit guidance, students explore the topic of wave interference in ways that bear similarity to how scientists explore phenomena. PhET sims are flexible tools which allow students to choose their own learning path, but also provide constraints such that students' choices are generally productive. This type of inquiry is supported by sim features such as concrete connections to the real world, representations that are not available in the real world, analogies to help students make meaning of and connect across multiple representations and phenomena, and a high level of interactivity with real-time, dynamic feedback from the sim. These features of PhET sims enable students to pose questions and answer them in ways that may not be supported by more traditional educational materials.
Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research: Volume 6, Issue 2, Pages 020117
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!
Record Link
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=10747">Podolefsky, N, K. Perkins, and W. Adams. "Factors promoting engaged exploration with computer simulations." Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. 6, no. 2, (October 5, 2010): 020117.</a>
AIP Format
N. Podolefsky, K. Perkins, and W. Adams, , Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. 6 (2), 020117 (2010), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10747&DocID=2210).
AJP/PRST-PER
N. Podolefsky, K. Perkins, and W. Adams, Factors promoting engaged exploration with computer simulations, Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. 6 (2), 020117 (2010), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10747&DocID=2210>.
APA Format
Podolefsky, N., Perkins, K., & Adams, W. (2010, October 5). Factors promoting engaged exploration with computer simulations. Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res., 6(2), 020117. Retrieved November 10, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10747&DocID=2210
Chicago Format
Podolefsky, N, K. Perkins, and W. Adams. "Factors promoting engaged exploration with computer simulations." Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. 6, no. 2, (October 5, 2010): 020117, https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10747&DocID=2210 (accessed 10 November 2024).
MLA Format
Podolefsky, Noah S., Katherine Perkins, and Wendy Adams. "Factors promoting engaged exploration with computer simulations." Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. 6.2 (2010): 020117. 10 Nov. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10747&DocID=2210>.
BibTeX Export Format
@article{
Author = "Noah S. Podolefsky and Katherine Perkins and Wendy Adams",
Title = {Factors promoting engaged exploration with computer simulations},
Journal = {Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res.},
Volume = {6},
Number = {2},
Pages = {020117},
Month = {October},
Year = {2010}
}
Refer Export Format
%A Noah S. Podolefsky %A Katherine Perkins %A Wendy Adams %T Factors promoting engaged exploration with computer simulations %J Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. %V 6 %N 2 %D October 5, 2010 %P 020117 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10747&DocID=2210 %O application/pdf
EndNote Export Format
%0 Journal Article %A Podolefsky, Noah S. %A Perkins, Katherine %A Adams, Wendy %D October 5, 2010 %T Factors promoting engaged exploration with computer simulations %J Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. %V 6 %N 2 %P 020117 %8 October 5, 2010 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10747&DocID=2210 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. |
ContributeSimilar Materials |