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Mr. Vetro: A Collective Simulation for teaching health science

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International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Why has technology become prevalent in science education without fundamentally improving test scores or student attitudes? We claim that the core of the problem is how technology is being used. Technologies such as simulations are currently not used to their full potential. For instance, physiology simulations often follow textbooks by sequentially exposing individual systems such as the circulatory and respiratory systems one at a time, leaving out essential comprehension of system interactions. Moreover, the standard computer lab hides students behind large monitors and ignores the social aspect of learning. We have created a new kind of infrastructure, called Collective Simulations to provide engaging inquiry-based science learning modules that uniquely combine social learning pedagogies with distributed simulation technology. This infrastructure creates immersive learning experiences based on wirelessly connected computers and enables radically different classroom learning experiences that engage students and teachers simultaneously. Collective Simulations allow students to learn about the intricacies of interdependent complex systems by engaging in discourse with other students and teachers. As part of our Mr. Vetro Collective Simulation, students learn about physiology through technology-enhanced role-play. Each group controls physiological variables of a single organ on their computer. A central simulation gathers all the data and projects the composite view of a human. In an example activity, the heart and lung teams collaborate to adjust parameters and reach homeostasis. Results from formal evaluation studies demonstrate a positive impact on scientific inquiry, student learning, and students’ interest in personal health issues. This article describes Mr. Vetro and its underlying architecture and presents the evaluation results.

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Notes

  1. An interactive flyer can be found at: http://agentsheets.com/research/c5/documents/interactive%20flier/c5-flier.html.

  2. http://www.agentsheets.com/lisp/OpenGL.html

  3. http://www.opengl.org

  4. http://www.w3.org/XML/

  5. Pearson/Benjamin Cummings Interactive Physiology from http://www.aw-bc.com/info/ip/

  6. http://www.health.adelaide.edu.au/paed-anaes/javaman/

  7. http://www.critcon.com/ccipublic/products/clinics.php3

  8. http://www.riverdeep.net/

  9. http://virtuallabs.stanford.edu/

  10. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SimCity

  11. Available at http://www.colorado.edu/sei/class/

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Research Resources (grant numbers 1R43 RR022008-01 and 1R43 RR022008-02) and previously by the National Science Foundation (grant number DMI SBIR 0232669). Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the National Institutes of Health or the National Science Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. AgentSheets, Inc., 6560 Gunpark Dr., Boulder, CO, 80301, USA

    Andri Ioannidou & Alexander Repenning

  2. School of Education, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309-0249, USA

    David Webb & Diane Keyser

  3. St. Helena High School, 1401 Grayson, St. Helena, CA, 94574, USA

    Lisa Luhn

  4. College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA

    Christof Daetwyler

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  1. Andri Ioannidou
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Correspondence to Andri Ioannidou.

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Ioannidou, A., Repenning, A., Webb, D. et al. Mr. Vetro: A Collective Simulation for teaching health science. Computer Supported Learning 5, 141–166 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11412-010-9082-8

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