Instructional Simulation
Alaa Sadik, Ph.D.Department of Instructional & Learning Technologies
College of Education, Sultan Qaboos University
Introduction:Technology and Experience
Dale’s Cone of Experience
Introduction: Construction of Knowledge
Constructive Learning
Assumptions
Learning is an active and individualized process. The learner must construct new knowledge based on
his/her own individualized experience. The student is the producer of information rather than
the consumer. The teacher is a member of learning community rather
than the only source of information (facilitator).
Construction of Knowledge
Teaching must fosters critical thinking and creates active and motivated learners.
Learning emphasizes the application of knowledge in real life situations.
Learning is a cooperative process constructed within the social context of the classroom.
Assessment is a continuous and interactive process.
Construction of Knowledge
Simulation
Simulation is the imitation of some real thing or process.
Simulation
Simulation is not new. It has been with us for as long as there has been education. Simulation requires no other technology than the ability to think. Most simulations take place entirely in the mind, via mental what-ifs.
Simulation
Types of Simulations
Physical simulation: is a simulation in which physical objects are substituted for the real thing. These physical objects are often chosen because they are smaller or cheaper than the actual object or system.
Interactive simulation: is a special kind of physical simulation in which physical simulations include human operators, such as in a flight simulator or a driving simulator.
Constructive simulation: is a hypothetical model of real or imagined system (usually computerized) designed to learn how a system works and allows learners to create their own sequence for using simulation.
Simulation
Constructive simulation: is a hypothetical model of real or imagined system (usually computerized) designed to learn how a system works and allows learners to create their own sequence for using simulation.
Why?
Computer simulation has become a useful part of modeling many natural systems in physics, chemistry and biology, and human systems in economics and social science as well as in engineering to gain insight into the operation of those systems.
Simulation
Computer simulation: is a computerized hypothetical model of real or imagined system designed to learn how a system works and allows learners to create their own sequence for using simulation.
Features Involve students into learning process. Compress time or slow down processes. Save money and resources. Make experimentation safe. Make impossible situations possible and controllable. Let student repeat events as many times as they want.
Simulation
Computer simulation: is a computerized hypothetical model of real or imagined system designed to learn how a system works and allows learners to create their own sequence for using simulation.
Examples
Several software packages exist for running computer-based simulation modeling (e.g. ChemLab, Infinite Physics Simulator, Curvilinear, VirtLab, Essential Science, GastroPlus, Flight Simulator, Truck Simulator, etc.)
Simulation
The term “micro-world” is used to refer to educational simulations which:
model some abstract concept rather than simulating a realistic object or environment. model a real world environment in a simplistic way so as to help a learner develop an understanding of the key concepts.
Simulation in Education
The term “micro-world” is used to refer to educational simulations which:
Normally, a learner can create some sort of construction within the micro-world that will behave in a way consistent with the concepts being modeled.
Simulation in Education
Types of Educational Simulations AnimationThis is a technology-supported graphic representation of a physical object or space. The learner is able to simulate user interaction within the animated space.
Role PlayingSimulation may also take the form of role playing. A scenario is presented, one or more individuals are assigned roles, and the learners act out their roles within the simulation to solve a problem, reconcile a relationship issue or learn about a process.
Simulation in Education
Types of Educational Simulations “If-Then” Process SimulationTechnology-enabled simulation can provide an if-then methodology for learning. The student is presented a situation that has multiple outcomes, and he or she responds by choosing an outcome.
“What-If” Interactive ModelsWhat-if models are built using a set of factors that collectively determine the outcome of a question or problem, for example, "What size big screen TV should I buy?" The learner is able to modify the value of the factors and is provided an outcome.
Simulation in Education
Types of Educational Simulations Intelligent Tutoring SystemsThe ultimate form of simulation, intelligent tutoring systems are computer-based instructional systems that model the
1) content to be taught,
2) instructional models of what and how to teach, and
3) feedback mechanisms to correct student errors.
Thus, intelligent tutoring systems simulate the content and process of learning.
Simulation in Education
Examples
Simulation in Education
Instructional Simulation
Example
Curvilinear
Friendly design, users do not need to get trained to operate these tools. Using buttons, textboxes and slide bars learners can run or stop the experiment and change the parameters of the phenomena.
Instructional Simulation
Example
ChemLab
Model ChemLab simulates the steps involved in performing an experiment. Users step-through the actual lab procedure while interacting with animated equipment in a way that is similar to the real lab experience.
Instructional Simulation
Example
Interactive Physics
Interactive Physics teaches students the same motion tools used by professional scientists and engineers.
We are confident that Interactive Physics is a valuable tool for your classroom and laboratory.
Instructional Simulation
Example
Infinite Physics Simulator
Infinite physics simulator has a large collection of objects useful for optics simulation including mirrors, prisms, lenses and other transparent objects.
Instructional Simulation
Example
Infinite Physics Simulator
Perform labs on the screen and analyze them with different tools.
More Examples
Interactive Simulationshttp://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Projectile_Motion
VirtLabhttp://www.virtlab.com/index.aspx
simSchoolhttps://simschool.org/my/
Essential Sciencehttp://www.focuseducational.com/html/product_overview.php/pid/1
GastroPlushttp://www.simulations-plus.com/Products.aspx?grpID=3&cID=16&pID=11
Simulation in Education
Barriers
Lack of money. Lack of time. Lack of knowledge. Lack of technology. Lack of sharing
Simulation in Education
Thank you
Simulation in Education