Learning With Artificial Worlds

by Mellar,Harvey; Mellar,Harvey

• ISBN13: 9780750703130
• ISBN10: 075070313X
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1994-10-01
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

With the advent of the National Curriculum, computer based modelling CBM is now a compulsory part of the school curriculum. Teachers are increasingly being encouraged to seek out opportunities for CBM in their own subject and across the curriculum. The new demands on the curriculum have left eachers and teacher trainers concerned as to their lack of experience in the area. This book sets out to provide a comprehensive guide to the area through an examination of a number of funded projects on CBM and their application to the school curriculum, setting them in the context of wider theoretical and practical concerns. It is acknowledged that computers bring about change in the classroom, both in teachers' professional development and innovative practices in teaching and learning. In highlighting how CBM can aid in the effective delivery of the curriculum, this book should be essential reading for teachers and researchers in the field.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
List of Figures and Tables
Abbreviations
Introduction: Modelling and Education	p. 1
The Nature of Modelling	p. 9
Overview: The Nature of Modelling	p. 11
Models: Their Makers, Uses and Problems	p. 16
From Mental Models to Modelling	p. 27
Computational Issues in Modelling	p. 33
Representations and Representation Systems	p. 39
Mathematics and Reality	p. 47
Interpreting the World with Numbers: An Introduction to Quantitative Modelling	p. 49
Reasoning with a Quantitative Modelling Tool	p. 59
Integrating Situation-based and Algebraic Approaches: The Role of Spreadsheets	p. 68
Using Spreadsheets to Develop Understanding in Science	p. 76
Models and Metaphors in Reasoning about Probability	p. 85
Learning about Mathematical Modelling: A Case Study using Model Builder	p. 94
Starting from Data: A Different Approach to Making Models	p. 104
Common sense Reasoning about Quantities	p. 115
Causality and Common sense Reasoning	p. 117
Reasoning with a Semi-quantitative Tool	p. 128
Thinking with Objects, Links and Logic	p. 143
An Introduction to Qualitative Modelling	p. 145
Reasoning with a Qualitative Modelling Tool	p. 153
Learning by Building Expert System Models	p. 162
Creating Worlds from Objects and Events	p. 171
Implementing Modelling in the Curriculum	p. 181
Towards a Modelling Curriculum	p. 183
Developing Software and Curriculum Materials: The Modus Project	p. 188
Incorporating Modelling into a Mathematics Curriculum	p. 199
Modelling and Teacher Change	p. 207
Appendix 1: Tools for Exploratory Learning Programme	p. 214
Appendix 2: Further Materials	p. 220
References	p. 224
Notes on Contributors	p. 234
Index	p. 237
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.