Learning to Focus on Processes and Steady States in Ecosystems Dynamics Using a Virtual Environment

• In Event: Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: Investigations of Science Learning

Abstract

Reasoning about ecosystems as scientists do involves considering the complex causal dynamics in terms of processes and steady states (e.g. Walker & Salt, 2006) as opposed to focusing on particular events. But students often bring limiting assumptions to their reasoning about ecosystems (e.g. Grotzer & Basca, 2003; Hmelo-Silver, Pfeffer, & Malhotra, 2003) and to steady states and processes in particular (e.g. Chi, 1997; 2005). This paper considers promising shifts in student reasoning about the nature of steady states and processes in ecosystems dynamics as they used a virtual environment with affordances designed to help them learn to reason about steady states and processes. It considers an intermediate level approach that students adopted and whether it may be facilitative or limiting.

Authors

• Tina A. Grotzer, Harvard University

• Amy M. Kamarainen, New York Hall of Science

• Michael Shane Tutwiler, Harvard University

• Shari J. Metcalf, Harvard University

• Christopher J. Dede, Harvard University