Pupil's ecological reasoning with help of modeling tool

Ecological concepts, and in particular population dynamics, has been found to be among the most difficult topics in biology. Some researchers pointed to students' relatively weak mathematical background as the main source of learning difficulties. This paper reports on an investigation of pupil's (n= 73) reasoning about the ecological phenomena by using an iconic modelling tool, WorldMaker. The simulations eliminated the need for understanding of mathematical equations, and made the ecological concepts much more accessible to some children. However, many of the pupils reasoned from an anthropocentric perspective that obstructed their ability to predict ecological phenomena which requires systems thinking. Copyright 2006 ACM.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Towards a model for teaching distributed computing in a distance-based educational environment

Several technologies and languages exist for the development and implementation of distributed systems. Furthermore, several models for teaching computer programming and teaching programming in a distance-based educational environment exist. Limited literature, however, is available on models for teaching distributed computing in a distance-based educational environment. The focus of this study is to examine how distributed computing should be taught in a distance-based educational environment so as to ensure effective and quality learning for students. The required effectiveness and quality should be comparable to those for students exposed to laboratories, as commonly found in residential universities. This leads to an investigation of the factors that contribute to the success of teaching distributed computing and how these factors can be integrated into a distance-based teaching model. The study consisted of a literature study, followed by a comparative study of available tools to aid in the learning and teaching of distributed computing in a distance-based educational environment. A model to accomplish this teaching and learning is then proposed and implemented. The findings of the study highlight the requirements and challenges that a student of distributed computing in a distance-based educational environment faces and emphasises how the proposed model can address these challenges. This study employed qualitative research, as opposed to quantitative research, as qualitative research methods are designed to help researchers to understand people and the social and cultural contexts within which they live. The research methods employed are design research, since an artefact is created, and a case study, since “how” and “why” questions need to be answered. Data collection was done through a survey. Each method was evaluated via its own well-established evaluation methods, since evaluation is a crucial component of the research process.ComputingM. Sc. (Computer Science