Ebook: Computers and Exploratory Learning

Computers are playing a fundamental role in enhancing exploratory learning techniques in education. This volume in the NATO Special Programme on Advanced Educational Technology covers the state of the art in the design and use of computer systems for exploratory learning. Contributed chapters treat principles, theory, practice, and examples of some of the best contemporary computer-based learning environments: Logo, Boxer, Microworlds, Cabri-Géomètre, Star Logo, Table Top, Geomland, spreadsheets, Function Machines, and others. Emphasis is on mathematics and science education. Synthetic chapters provide an overview of the current scene in computers and exploratory learning, and analyses from the perspectives of epistemology, learning, and socio-cultural studies.

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Computers are playing a fundamental role in enhancing exploratory learning techniques in education. This volume in the NATO Special Programme on Advanced Educational Technology covers the state of the art in the design and use of computer systems for exploratory learning. Contributed chapters treat principles, theory, practice, and examples of some of the best contemporary computer-based learning environments: Logo, Boxer, Microworlds, Cabri-G?om?tre, Star Logo, Table Top, Geomland, spreadsheets, Function Machines, and others. Emphasis is on mathematics and science education. Synthetic chapters provide an overview of the current scene in computers and exploratory learning, and analyses from the perspectives of epistemology, learning, and socio-cultural studies.

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Computers are playing a fundamental role in enhancing exploratory learning techniques in education. This volume in the NATO Special Programme on Advanced Educational Technology covers the state of the art in the design and use of computer systems for exploratory learning. Contributed chapters treat principles, theory, practice, and examples of some of the best contemporary computer-based learning environments: Logo, Boxer, Microworlds, Cabri-G?om?tre, Star Logo, Table Top, Geomland, spreadsheets, Function Machines, and others. Emphasis is on mathematics and science education. Synthetic chapters provide an overview of the current scene in computers and exploratory learning, and analyses from the perspectives of epistemology, learning, and socio-cultural studies.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages I-VIII
Computers and Exploratory Learning: Setting the Scene....Pages 1-12
Front Matter....Pages 13-13
Thematic Chapter: Epistemology and Systems Design....Pages 15-29
New Paradigms for Computing, New Paradigms for Thinking....Pages 31-43
From Local to Global: Programming and the Unfolding of Local Models in the Exploratory Learning of Mathematics and Science....Pages 45-58
East orWest—GEOMLAND is Best, or Does the Answer Depend on the Angle?....Pages 59-78
Computational Media to Support the Learning and Use of Functions....Pages 79-107
Knowledge Representation in a Learning Environment for Euclidean Geometry....Pages 109-126
Microworlds as Representations....Pages 127-154
Visualizing Formal and Structural Relationships with Spreadsheets....Pages 155-173
Creating Software Applications for Children: Some Thoughts About Design....Pages 175-196
Front Matter....Pages 197-197
Thematic Chapter: Exploratory Software, Exploratory Cultures?....Pages 199-219
The Medium and the Curriculum: Reflections on Transparent Tools and Tacit Mathematics....Pages 221-240
What About a Learning Environment Where Euclidean Concepts are Manipulated with a Mouse?....Pages 241-262
Four Steps to the Right....Pages 263-273
Learning Dynamic Geometry: Implementing Rotations....Pages 275-288
Sketching a Multidisciplinary Microworld: A Collaborative Exploration in Boxer....Pages 289-304
Design of Computer-Based Cognitive Tools....Pages 305-319
The Spreadsheet as a Tool for Mathematical Modeling: A Case Study....Pages 321-336
The Many Faces of a Computational Medium: Teaching the Mathematics of Motion....Pages 337-359
Front Matter....Pages 361-361
Thematic Chapter: Computers as Commodities....Pages 363-381
Front Matter....Pages 361-361
Exploring the Sketch Metaphor for Presenting Mathematics Using Boxer....Pages 383-398
Programming as a Means of Expressing and Exploring Ideas: Three Case Studies Situated in a Directive Educational System....Pages 399-419
Do Users Inhabit Or Build Their Boxer Environment?....Pages 421-442
Designing, Exploring and Interacting: Novice Activities in the Boxer Computational Medium....Pages 443-462
Learning Opportunities Provided by Domain-Oriented Design Environments....Pages 463-480

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Computers are playing a fundamental role in enhancing exploratory learning techniques in education. This volume in the NATO Special Programme on Advanced Educational Technology covers the state of the art in the design and use of computer systems for exploratory learning. Contributed chapters treat principles, theory, practice, and examples of some of the best contemporary computer-based learning environments: Logo, Boxer, Microworlds, Cabri-G?om?tre, Star Logo, Table Top, Geomland, spreadsheets, Function Machines, and others. Emphasis is on mathematics and science education. Synthetic chapters provide an overview of the current scene in computers and exploratory learning, and analyses from the perspectives of epistemology, learning, and socio-cultural studies.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages I-VIII
Computers and Exploratory Learning: Setting the Scene....Pages 1-12
Front Matter....Pages 13-13
Thematic Chapter: Epistemology and Systems Design....Pages 15-29
New Paradigms for Computing, New Paradigms for Thinking....Pages 31-43
From Local to Global: Programming and the Unfolding of Local Models in the Exploratory Learning of Mathematics and Science....Pages 45-58
East orWest—GEOMLAND is Best, or Does the Answer Depend on the Angle?....Pages 59-78
Computational Media to Support the Learning and Use of Functions....Pages 79-107
Knowledge Representation in a Learning Environment for Euclidean Geometry....Pages 109-126
Microworlds as Representations....Pages 127-154
Visualizing Formal and Structural Relationships with Spreadsheets....Pages 155-173
Creating Software Applications for Children: Some Thoughts About Design....Pages 175-196
Front Matter....Pages 197-197
Thematic Chapter: Exploratory Software, Exploratory Cultures?....Pages 199-219
The Medium and the Curriculum: Reflections on Transparent Tools and Tacit Mathematics....Pages 221-240
What About a Learning Environment Where Euclidean Concepts are Manipulated with a Mouse?....Pages 241-262
Four Steps to the Right....Pages 263-273
Learning Dynamic Geometry: Implementing Rotations....Pages 275-288
Sketching a Multidisciplinary Microworld: A Collaborative Exploration in Boxer....Pages 289-304
Design of Computer-Based Cognitive Tools....Pages 305-319
The Spreadsheet as a Tool for Mathematical Modeling: A Case Study....Pages 321-336
The Many Faces of a Computational Medium: Teaching the Mathematics of Motion....Pages 337-359
Front Matter....Pages 361-361
Thematic Chapter: Computers as Commodities....Pages 363-381
Front Matter....Pages 361-361
Exploring the Sketch Metaphor for Presenting Mathematics Using Boxer....Pages 383-398
Programming as a Means of Expressing and Exploring Ideas: Three Case Studies Situated in a Directive Educational System....Pages 399-419
Do Users Inhabit Or Build Their Boxer Environment?....Pages 421-442
Designing, Exploring and Interacting: Novice Activities in the Boxer Computational Medium....Pages 443-462
Learning Opportunities Provided by Domain-Oriented Design Environments....Pages 463-480
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