Professor's and Student's Perceptions and Experiences of Computational Simulations as Learning Tools
04 Apr 2010 | Papers | Contributor(s): Alejandra J. Magana
Computational simulations are becoming a critical component of scientific and engineering research, and now are becoming an important component for learning. This dissertation provides findings from a multifaceted research study exploring the ways computational simulations have been perceived and...
How engineering instructors use nanoHUB simulations as learning tools?
08 Apr 2010 | Presentation Materials | Contributor(s): Alejandra J. Magana
In this section we provide a description of two of the most frequent ways engineering instructors incorporate nanoHUB simulations as learning tools. In the supporting document section we provide case studies that describe in detail specific ways in which instructors have incorporated nanoHUB...
Are Simulation Tools Developed and Used by Experts Appropriate Experimentation Tools for Educational Contexts?
08 Apr 2010 | Papers | Contributor(s): Alejandra J. Magana, Sean Brophy,
Simulations and visualizations can lead to significant improvements in students'conceptual understanding. This increased understanding may be due to the formation of expert-like dynamic mental models. Laboratory simulations have been used in educational contexts forinquiry learning by allowing...
NCN Simulation-based Learning Workshop - Participant Packet
11 Nov 2009 | Presentation Materials | Contributor(s): Krishna Madhavan, Sean Brophy, George B. Adams III, Alejandra J. Magana
This document contains all the materials that were distributed to participants of the NCN Simulation-based Learning Workshop that was held in Chicago, IL from November 5-6, 2009.Materials prepared and distributed by the NCN Education and Assessment Team
Professors' Instructional Approaches and Students' Perceptions of nanoHUB Simulations as Learning Tools.
Simulations can provide a critical element of learning experiences. Simulations are alsobecoming a critical part of computational science, which is being described as the thirdlegin this century's methodologies of science (Sabelli, et. al, 2005). Opportunities existto use the same simulation as...
Characterizing and scaffolding students' conceptions of size and scale
29 Dec 2009 | Online Presentations | Contributor(s): Alejandra J. Magana
Scale concepts transcend disciplinary boundaries of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology because they are essential for performing explanations, theory generation, observation, and activities associated with design. Current research related to size and scale has identified several...
The Transparency Paradox: Computational Simulations as Learning Tools for Engineering Graduate Education
Computational simulations have become a critical part of computational science, which is being described as the third leg in this century’s methodologies of science. Computational simulations have also become a critical element of learning experiences as they can provide engineering students with...
Students Perceptions and Experiences of Using Computational Simulations as Learning Tools
25 Feb 2013 | Online Presentations | Contributor(s): Alejandra J. Magana
This presentation summarizes the results of three research studies aiming to investigate students perceptions and experiences of using computational simulations as learning tools. The three guiding research questions were: (i) how do students with different academic level experience nanoHUB...
Teaching and Learning with nanoHUB Simulation Tools: Transforming Research Findings into Instructional Approaches
10 Oct 2011 | Online Presentations | Contributor(s): Alejandra J. Magana
Results of our studies reveal the vast potential of integrating computational simulation tools into formal learning experiences. Outcomes of our studies include: a) a set of learning outcomes associated with instructors’ goals for incorporating simulation tools into their teaching and b) a...
Opportunities for Integrating nanoHUB Computational Simulations as Learning Tools
This presentation introduces a research agenda that focuses on identifying how to provide: (i) instructors with educational resources to help them better integrate nanoHUB computational simulation tools into their teaching and (ii) learners with adequate scaffolds (supports) to use computational...
Engineering and Science Instructors' Intended Learning Outcomes with Computational Simulations as Learning Tools
26 Feb 2013 | Online Presentations | Contributor(s): Alejandra J. Magana
This presentation describes the results of a study aiming to identify how 14 instructors incorporated into their classrooms computational simulations as learning tools. The study was based on the following research question: What were the intended learning outcomes that guided the instructors'...