Title page for E-project-102611-031757

Project Type IQP

Submission date 2011-10-26

Author
Alec S Mitnik, alecmitnik@WPI.EDU, CS

URN E-project-102611-031757

Division Education in a Technological Society

Title Scaffolding for Biology

Advisors
Beck, Joseph E., CS
Gobert, Janice, SS

Availability unrestricted

Abstract
In this project, a microworld was created in an ASSISTment, a computer based program that assists students with inquiry as it collects data to assess their performance, that assessed middle school students' knowledge of ecology and inquiry skills while addressing common misconceptions in food webs. The students' prior knowledge of ecology was assessed through pretest items. Through two problem scenarios in the microworld, the students were assessed on their inquiry skills and knowledge. Their gains in knowledge were then assessed through the same pretest items given in a posttest. The project did successfully assess the students' inquiry skills and knowledge, although there is room for improvements in the microworld and scaffolding that should be made before further implementation.

Files
AlecMitnik_IQP.pdf

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Project Type	IQP
Submission date	2011-10-26
Author	Alec S Mitnik, alecmitnik@WPI.EDU, CS
URN	E-project-102611-031757
Division	Education in a Technological Society
Title	Scaffolding for Biology
Advisors	Beck, Joseph E., CS Gobert, Janice, SS
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract In this project, a microworld was created in an ASSISTment, a computer based program that assists students with inquiry as it collects data to assess their performance, that assessed middle school students' knowledge of ecology and inquiry skills while addressing common misconceptions in food webs. The students' prior knowledge of ecology was assessed through pretest items. Through two problem scenarios in the microworld, the students were assessed on their inquiry skills and knowledge. Their gains in knowledge were then assessed through the same pretest items given in a posttest. The project did successfully assess the students' inquiry skills and knowledge, although there is room for improvements in the microworld and scaffolding that should be made before further implementation.
Files	AlecMitnik_IQP.pdf