TY - GEN
T1 - Investigating the Efficacy of an Ontological Framework for Teaching Natural Selection Using Agent-Based Simulations
AU - Su, Man
AU - Chi, Michelene T.H.
AU - Ha, Jesse
AU - Xin, Yue
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© ISLS.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Integrating agent-based models (ABMs) has been a popular approach for teaching emergent science concepts. However, students continue to find it difficult to explain the emergent process of natural selection. In this study, we employ an ontological framework-the Pattern, Agents, Interactions, Relations, and Causality (PAIR-C)-to guide the design of the ABM simulation module. This study examines the effects of the PAIR-C ABM module versus the Regular ABM module on fostering students' understanding of natural selection. Drawing on pre-posttest data, we found that students in the Intervention group had a better causal understanding when explaining natural selection than the Control group. This paper sheds light on applying an innovative framework to designing effective agent-based simulation modules to teach emergent science concepts.
AB - Integrating agent-based models (ABMs) has been a popular approach for teaching emergent science concepts. However, students continue to find it difficult to explain the emergent process of natural selection. In this study, we employ an ontological framework-the Pattern, Agents, Interactions, Relations, and Causality (PAIR-C)-to guide the design of the ABM simulation module. This study examines the effects of the PAIR-C ABM module versus the Regular ABM module on fostering students' understanding of natural selection. Drawing on pre-posttest data, we found that students in the Intervention group had a better causal understanding when explaining natural selection than the Control group. This paper sheds light on applying an innovative framework to designing effective agent-based simulation modules to teach emergent science concepts.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105005941239
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:105005941239
T3 - Proceedings of International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS
SP - 106
EP - 113
BT - ISLS Annual Meeting 2023
A2 - Blikstein, Paulo
A2 - Van Aalst, Jan
A2 - Kizito, Rita
A2 - Brennan, Karen
PB - International Society of the Learning Sciences (ISLS)
T2 - 17th International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS 2023
Y2 - 10 June 2023 through 15 June 2023
ER -