ERIC Number: EJ1154982
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1947-8518
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Designing Effective Spaces, Tasks and Metrics for Communication in Second Life within the Context of Programming LEGO NXT Mindstorms™ Robots
Vallance, Michael; Martin, Stewart; Wiz, Charles; van Schaik, Paul
International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments, v1 n1 Article 3 p20-37 2010
Science education is concerned with the meaningful pursuit of comprehension, knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts and processes. In Vygotskian social constructivist learning, personal interpretation, decision-making and community cooperation fosters long-term understanding and transference of learned concepts. The construction of knowledge requires learners to be actively involved in the process of learning. For effective science learning to take place an instructor's pedagogical approach must be anchored in meaningful contexts so that students have actual opportunities to experience science. This paper presents the early stages of a research project that attempts to assess and define effective measurements for evaluating strategies for communicating science by using LEGO robots and Mindstorms™ RCX controllers that are collaboratively constructed and programmed by students using virtual technologies while physically situated in different locations.
Descriptors: Instructional Design, Science Instruction, Science Education, Computer Simulation, Social Systems, Internet, Programming, Robotics, Constructivism (Learning), Technology Integration, Computer Software, Evaluation Methods, Measurement, Qualitative Research, Statistical Analysis, Interviews, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Japan; United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A