Using Computer Simulations to Enhance Conceptual Change: The Roles of Constructivist Instruction and Student Epistemological Beliefs

Journal of Research in Science Teaching

Volumn 35, Issue 2, 1998, Pages 145-160

  Windschitl, Mark ^a   Andre, Thomas ^b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON   (United States)

^b Department of Statistics Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence Iowa State University 2438 Osborn Dr Ames   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 0000139254     PISSN: 00224308     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2736(199802)35:2<145::AID-TEA5>3.0.CO;2-S     Document Type: Article

References (33)

1. Anderson, C.W., & Smith, E.L. (1987). Teaching science. In V. Richardson-Koehler (Ed.), Educator's handbook - a research perspective (pp. 84-111). New York: Longman.
2. Arnaudin, M.W., & Mintzes, J.J. (1986). The cardiovascular system: Children's conceptions and misconceptions. Science and Children, 23, 48-51.
3. Becker, H.J. (1991). How computers are used in United States schools. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 7, 385-406.
4. Boyle, R.A., Magnusson, S.J., & Young, A.J. (1993, April). Epistemic motivation and conceptual change. Paper presented at meeting of National Association for Research in Science Teaching, Atlanta, GA.
5. Brant, G., Hooper, E., & Sugrue, B. (1991). Which comes first the simulation or the lecture? Journal of Educational Computing Research, 7, 469-481.
6. Carlsen, D., & Andre, T. (1992). Use of a microcomputer simulation and conceptual change text to overcome student preconceptions about electric circuits. Journal of Computer-based Instruction, 19, 105-109.
7. Cobb, P. (1994). Where is the mind? Constructivist and sociocultural perspectives on mathematical development. Educational Researcher, 23, 13-20.
8. Cognition and Technology Group at Vanderbilt. (1990). Anchored instruction and its relationship to situated cognition. Educational Researcher, 19, 2-10.
9. Diekoff, G.M. (1983). Testing through relationship judgments. Journal of Educational Psychology, 75, 227-233.
10. Driver, R., & Easley, J. (1978). Pupils and paradigms: A review of literature related to concept development in adolescent science students. Studies in Science Education, 5, 61-84.
11. Dweck, C.S. (1986). Motivational processes affecting learning. American Psychologist, 41, 1040-1048.
12. Entwistle, N., Entwistle, A., & Tait, H. (1993). Academic understanding and contexts to enhance it: A perspective from research on student learning. In T. Duffy, J. Lowyck, & D. Jonassen (Eds.), Designing environments for constructive learning (pp. 331-357). Berlin: Springer-Verlag.
13. Gorsky, P., & Finegold, M. (1992). Using computer simulations to restructure students' conceptions of force. Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 11, 163-178.
14. Hewson, M.G., & Hewson, P.W. (1983). Effect of instruction using students' prior knowledge and conceptual change strategies on science learning. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 20, 731-743.
15. Hewson, P.W. (1981). A conceptual change approach to learning. European Journal of Science Education, 3, 383-396.
16. Hewson, P.W., & Thorley, R.N. (1989). The conditions of conceptual change in the classroom [Special Issue]. International Journal of Science Education, 11, 541-553.
17. Kruglanski, A.W. (1989). Lay epistemics and human knowledge: Cognitive and motivational bases. New York: Plenum.
18. Kruglanski, A.W. (1990). Lay epistemic theory in social-cognitive psychology. Psychological Inquiry, 1, 181-197.
19. Lawson, A.E., & Weser, J. (1990). The rejections of nonscientific beliefs about life: Effects of instruction and reasoning skills. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 27, 589-606.
20. Lawson, A.E., & Worsnop, W. (1992). Learning about evolution and rejecting a belief in special creation: Effects of reflective reasoning, prior knowledge, prior belief, and religious commitment. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 29, 143-166.
21. Miller, P.O., & Hamilton, N.M. (1992). Computers in teaching and learning biology. Computers and Education, 19, 9-16.
22. Mintzes, J.J., Trowbridge, J.E., Arnaudin, M.W., & Wandersee, J.H. (1991). Children's biology: Studies on conceptual development in life sciences. In Glynn, S.M., Yeany. R.H., & Britton, B.K. (Eds.), The psychology of learning science (pp. 179-205). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
23. Osborne, J., & Squires, D. (1987). Learning science through experiential software. In J. Novak (Ed.), Proceedings of the Second International Seminar on Misconceptions and Educational Strategies in Science and Mathematics, Vol. 1 (pp. 373-380). Ithaca, NY: Cornell University.
24. Perkins, D.N., & Simmons, R. (1988). Patterns of misunderstanding: An integrative model for science, math, and programming. Review of Educational Research, 58, 303-326.
25. Pines, L. (1985). Toward a taxonomy of conceptual relations and the implications for the evaluation of cognitive structure. In L. West & A.L. Pines (Eds.), Cognitive structure and conceptual change (pp. 101-115). Orlando: Academic Press.
26. Pintrich, P.R., Marx, R.W., & Boyle, R.W. (1993). Beyond cold conceptual change: The role of motivational beliefs and classroom contextual factors in the process of conceptual change. Review of Educational Research, 63, 167-199.
27. Posner, G.J., Strike, K.A., Hewson, P.W., & Gertzog, W.A. (1982). Accommodation of scientific conception: Toward a theory of conceptual change. Science Education, 66, 211-227.
28. Schommer, M. (1993). Comparisons of beliefs about the nature of knowledge and learning among postsecondary students. Research in Higher Education, 34, 355-369.
29. Stanners, R.F., Brown, L.T., Price, J.M., & Holmes, M. (1983). Concept comparisons, essay examinations, and conceptual knowledge. Journal of Educational Psychology, 75, 857-864.
30. Thomas, R., & Hooper, E. (1991). Simulations: An opportunity we are missing. Journal of Research on Computing in Education, 23, 497-513.
31. West, L., & Pines, L. (1983). How rational is rationality? Science Education, 67, 37-39.
32. Windschitl, M. (1996). Student epistemological beliefs and conceptual change activities: How do pair members affect each other? Journal of Science Education and Technology, 6, 24-38.
33. Zietsman, A.I., & Hewson, P.W. (1986). Effect of instruction using microcomputer simulations and conceptual change strategies on science learning. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 23, 27-39.