Research Article Notes

"Exploring Multiple Representations In Elementary School Science Education" by Johnson, Moher, Ohlsson, & Leigh.

ImmersaDesk- A virtual reality learning strategy that provides external and internal models for student learning. The experiment was done in a school district in Oak Park, Illinois with 250 students grades 2nd through 12th. The long term goal of the study was the test in the ImmersaDesk, which is an advanced visualization technology helped improve science learning.

The two research questions being studied were:

1. How does VR interact with the cognitive processes involved in learning, and how can we exploit this knowledge for the development of effective education interventions?
2. How should VR be incorporated in the classroom, into current teaching practices, and into the life of the school? 

VR uses multiple means of representation that allows the learner to construct mental models to understand concepts.

• Augmentation, explanation, prediction = through visualizations
• Learner coordinates multiple mental models for more advanced learning and understandings.

Coordination of multiple models

• allows for representation of; time, transformation, scale, part-whole, form function, abstraction and interpretation.

"Learners can construct a new mental model by mapping a novel system onto an already familiar one."

"Two representation are better than one"- helps learning come to life.

This method helps student learn;

• Cognitive studies which involves coordination of multiple perspectives in the formation of mental models
• Quick worlds- Augmenting existing classroom visualizations (textbooks, 3D models) to give more interactive visualization
• Virtual Ambient allow students to better understand the Scientific Method. 

The Nature of Inquiry- Is seldom taught as a subject matter in it's own right but is a central learning goal.

• VR provides access to stimulated environments
• Allows students to make connections between the environment being studied and the scientific representation of data. 

Reflections:

When reading this article I immediately thought about the science lab simulations we read about a couple of weeks ago. These simulations allow for labs to be done that would often be hard to create in the classroom. The simulations allow students to guide their own learning and explore specific questions they have. I think lab simulations allow for more diverse learning because each student is able to follow their own inquiry instead of science labs that are done by the whole class and are aimed for one understanding or conclusion to be formed. I think this allows each student to be more engaged and develop a deeper understanding on a specific aspect that can then be shared and learned by all students. 

Approaches of Instruction

"One of the purposes of education is to provide children with the skills and knowledge needed to function capably as adults. With the world changing rapidly, the abilities acquired in schools today need to be reassessed, as do the ways in which students are expected to learn ... And when the curriculum changes, ways in which the curriculum is delivered must change correspondingly. "

  Saskatchewan Education, 1985, p.6.

Teaching Models- Represent the broadest level of Instructional Practices

Strategies Vs. Methods

Strategies determine the approach to achieve a learning objective
Method- Specific ways of creating learning environments. How will the teacher and students be involved? How will they work together to achieve the learning objective and goals?

Direct Instruction is teacher directed. It involves lectures (20% of lesson time), guided practice and independent activities.

Indirect Instruction can use storytelling and oral tradition and is commonly used in ELA.

Inquiry- Students exploring a problem. Students found a problem, question and hypothesis and explore and experiment to form a conclusion and share their findings.

Cooperative Learning- Allows students to work together and build off each other's answers to answer questions and explore topics.

Independent Study- analyze problems reflect, make decisions and can be used in science journals.

Research Projects- can be done individually, with a partner or a groups. Students explore one problem or topic in depth.

Authentic Assessment- What can be assesses? Readiness, Interest and Learning Profile. Assessments can include pre-assessment, formative assessment and summative assessment.