TY - JOUR
T1 - Fostering Reasoning About Complex Systems
T2 - Using the Aquarium to Teach Systems Thinking
AU - Jordan, Rebecca C.
AU - Hmelo-Silver, Cindy
AU - Liu, Lei
AU - Gray, Steven A.
PY - 2013/1
Y1 - 2013/1
N2 - Middle school learners find it difficult to understand ecosystems. Here we describe an intervention that pairs structure, behavior, and function (SBF) conceptual reasoning with computer-based learning tools that focus on an aquarium as a complex biological system. Based on results from 138 middle school students, we suggest that the use of SBF ontology combined with guided questions and simulations can enable students to consider multiple aspects of system dynamics. Potential benefits of using this framework in ecological education include providing learners with a language to articulate ideas and increased ability to transfer ideas from one context to another.
AB - Middle school learners find it difficult to understand ecosystems. Here we describe an intervention that pairs structure, behavior, and function (SBF) conceptual reasoning with computer-based learning tools that focus on an aquarium as a complex biological system. Based on results from 138 middle school students, we suggest that the use of SBF ontology combined with guided questions and simulations can enable students to consider multiple aspects of system dynamics. Potential benefits of using this framework in ecological education include providing learners with a language to articulate ideas and increased ability to transfer ideas from one context to another.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84880062066&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84880062066&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/1533015X.2013.797860
DO - 10.1080/1533015X.2013.797860
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84880062066
SN - 1533-015X
VL - 12
SP - 55
EP - 64
JO - Applied Environmental Education and Communication
JF - Applied Environmental Education and Communication
IS - 1
ER -