Jason's+Project

To get caught up, here's my selection for this project:

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I'll be attempting to create a storyboard shortly.

Week 4:

Storyboard Basics



Jason, Outside of creating a movie, a storyboard is a planning tool for presenting, The purpose for this class is to learn from each other by helping. I will be researching web 2.0 principles so see what is required. What problem or need are you planning to solve? Val

Val, I'm trying to solve the use of simulations as a substitution for the lack of laboratory supplies. For example, I taught a unit on electricity but we only had a very limited amount of materials for constructing circuits at the time. To make up for this, I used a simlulation from [|http://phet.colorado.edu] that allowed students to build parallel and series circuits. This simulation gave students a better understanding of concepts in electricity. Regards, Jason Hi Jason, That was a great idea! At least your students were able to experience "hands on." I find that learning can be fun when students are engaged in the activity.

Val

Hi Jason, I have used the Phet simulations quite a bit for the physics class that I teach. I have actually used the circuit builder simulation that you mentioned as well. For much the same reason, the simulation worked great since we have very limited resources. We were able to build some very simple circuits by hand to get the hand of it. However, moving to the simulation allowed us to look at some more complex combinations. It also allowed to investigate the relationships (e.g. Ohm's Law) that exist for the entire circuit as well as for the individual elements of the circuit. I totally agree with you in that the simulation definitely helped to enhance the learning for the students.

How much research have you uncovered so far regarding the development of simulations as well as their impact on student learning in the classroom? Do you have any thoughts about making instructional decisions between a simulation versus a hands-on activity? For example, it is feasible to go to a situation where you use all simulations? Is there a balance between using hands-on experiences and virtual experiences? Are there any criteria that a classroom criteria must use to judge the potential impact of a simulation on student learning? Just some food for thought.

I look forward to continuing to work with you in our group! Welcome aboard!

Mike :)

Jason, Here is a research article on simulations in the classroom that I have read. You maybe interested in it.

Val Blasi, L. & Alfonso, B. (2006). Increasing the transfer of simulation technology from R&D into school settings: An approach to evaluation from overarching vision to individual artifact in education. //Simulation & Gaming.// 37(2), 245-267. doi:10.1177/1046878105284449.

Val, Thanks for the reference. I'll look into it shortly. Thanks, Jason

Week 5: Research Component

I have been conducting research through the Walden Library to help find resources to support the research phase of the diffusion project. I will continue to add more as I find more. Jason

Hi Jason... How is the research going for your project? I am curious to see what you are coming up with since the focus of your topic definitely ties into some of the things that I use in the classes that I teach. Keep up the great work! Mike :)

Week 6: Research Component cont'd

Hello All, I am currently having trouble finding the number of adopters versus time as this particular invention seem to be primarily based on free simulations. I have also looked at the [|www.explorelearning.com] site but have yet to find any of these numbers. I am currently consulting with the instructor. Do any of you have any suggestions as to how I should proceed?

Jason

As per the instructor, my S-curve is an estimation of the use of simulations within the classroom. The estimation based upon sales of Gizmos from [|www.explorelearning.com]. In Georgia there are 197 school districts.



Please note: the S-curve does not show a higher leveling off as I do not believe this point has been reached yet.

Jason

Week 7

Please find an updated storyboard below. I have included answers to questions about adopter categories, strategies for adoption, and attributes.

Jason

Jason,

In your updates, you have teachers in various disciplines and degrees of adoption

associated with four of the five adoption attributes, except complexity. Is there any

reason complexity is not relative to educators? Or did I overlook this negative attribute

in the reading of your material?

Fred

4/23/11 ---> continued on part 2.