Spring and Summer 2019 will be busy with the presentation of some National Science Foundation research projects that have been underway for the past months. Here is a quick summary of the conferences, the official reference, and an abstract of what will be presented.
Petrosino, A. J., Sherard, M. K., Harron, J. R., Brady, C. E., Stroup, W. M., & Wilensky, U. J. (April, 2019). Developing preservice teachers’ conceptualization of models and simulations through group-based cloud computing. Poster presented at the American Education Research Association Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada.
ABSTRACT:
In this study, preservice teachers use Group-based Cloud Computing (GbCC) to engage in simulations about the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone. Participants developed concept maps and defined models and simulations before and after using GbCC. Findings include that through the intervention, participants moved from linear representations of concept maps towards more complex system-based representations. Although participants were able to articulate changes that they would like to make to the agent-based model, their limited programming knowledge was a barrier that prevented participants from implementing changes. In addition, misconceptions were uncovered regarding participants' definitions and uses for models and simulations. This research better informs how authorable agent-based models can help preservice teachers develop a deeper conceptual understanding of non-linear complex systems.
American Society for Engineering Education- ASEE
Petrosino, A. J., Sherard, M. K., & Harron, J. R. (June, 2019). Examining pre-service teacher conceptions about vaccination using participatory and authorable computer models. Poster presented at the annual convention of the American Society for Engineering Education, Tampa, FL.
ABSTRACT:
This work in progress is part of a larger design-based research project to implement computational modeling of complex phenomena in STEM education. In this single implementation case study, the authors sought to use computational simulations to engage preservice teachers in dialogue about the locally relevant issue of vaccination in K-12 schooling. The researchers built and used simulations of disease transmission and engaged teachers in a 3-hour lesson to determine: (a) what beliefs pre-service teachers hold about requiring vaccinations in schools before and after engaging with the simulations; and (b) how these beliefs emerge when pre-service teachers attempt to re-design a computational model to represent three schools with unique social and economic conditions.
Computer Support for Collaborative Learning- CSCL
Petrosino, A. J., Sherard, M. K., & Brady, C. E. (June, 2019). Using Collaborative Agent-based Modeling to Explore Complex Phenomena with Preservice Teachers. Poster presented at the International Conference of Computer Supported Collaborative Learning, Lyon, France.
ABSTRACT:
This poster investigates preservice teachers’ abilities to use, evaluate, and revise participatory agent-based models deployed with the Group-based Cloud Computing (GbCC) platform. This poster discusses two cases within a larger design-based implementation research study with preservice elementary science teachers. By implementing models with preservice teachers, we hope to (a) make adjustments to the GbCC learning technologies, and (b) develop more informed and and aligned pedagogies for teaching in socially-mediated and generative learning environments
