"What's in the Black Box?" Using Simulations to Learn About and Assess Scientific Inquiry

• In Event: Poster Session 3
  In Poster Session: Exploring the Current Landscape of Technology, Instruction, Cognition, and Learning

Abstract

Interactive simulations are versatile learning environments that can provide instant feedback for students’ actions. As such, interactive simulations provide a unique environment for studying students’ scientific inquiry. In this study, we have used the data from participants working with a simulation to identify students’ common inquiry practices and examine the interplay between these practices and participants’ prior knowledge. The preliminary results we present here show both similarities and differences in inquiry practices of participants with different levels of prior knowledge. Also the data provides evidence that interactive simulations could be used as an assessment tool for both conceptual knowledge as well as inquiry practices.

Authors

• Shima Salehi, Stanford University

• Eric Kuo, Stanford University

• Erica McDowell

• Engin Bumbacher, Stanford University

• Carl Wieman, University of Colorado - Boulder