Stimulating Scientific Reasoning with Drawing-Based Modeling

We investigate the way students’ reasoning about evolution can be supported by drawing-based modeling. We modified the drawing-based modeling tool SimSketch to allow for modeling evolutionary processes. In three iterations of development and testing, students in lower secondary education worked on creating an evolutionary model. After each iteration, the user interface and instructions were adjusted based on students’ remarks and the teacher’s observations. Students’ conversations were analyzed on reasoning complexity as a measurement of efficacy of the modeling tool and the instructions. These findings were also used to compose a set of recommendations for teachers and curriculum designers for using and constructing models in the classroom. Our findings suggest that to stimulate scientific reasoning in students working with a drawing-based modeling, tool instruction about the tool and the domain should be integrated. In creating models, a sufficient level of scaffolding is necessary. Without appropriate scaffolds, students are not able to create the model. With scaffolding that is too high, students may show reasoning that incorrectly assigns external causes to behavior in the model

Stimulating Scientific Reasoning with Drawing-Based Modeling

We investigate the way students’ reasoning about evolution can be supported by drawing-based modeling. We modified the drawing-based modeling tool SimSketch to allow for modeling evolutionary processes. In three iterations of development and testing, students in lower secondary education worked on creating an evolutionary model. After each iteration, the user interface and instructions were adjusted based on students’ remarks and the teacher’s observations. Students’ conversations were analyzed on reasoning complexity as a measurement of efficacy of the modeling tool and the instructions. These findings were also used to compose a set of recommendations for teachers and curriculum designers for using and constructing models in the classroom. Our findings suggest that to stimulate scientific reasoning in students working with a drawing-based modeling, tool instruction about the tool and the domain should be integrated. In creating models, a sufficient level of scaffolding is necessary. Without appropriate scaffolds, students are not able to create the model. With scaffolding that is too high, students may show reasoning that incorrectly assigns external causes to behavior in the model

Exploring the value of drawing in learning and assessment

Drawing is increasingly recognized as a literacy of science. It is claimed that when learners draw they engage in ways that help them evaluate and transform their understanding, practice fundamental disciplinary practices and provides the basis for formative or summative assessment. This symposium draws together research on student drawing across different disciplines (e.g. Chemistry, Biology, and Anatomy) to explore the value that drawing can have in learning science and medicine. Importantly, the papers take a nuanced view of the value of drawing; attempting to avoid the sometimes overblown claims that accompany calls for particular approaches to education by addressing situations when drawing has been found to be ineffective as well as helpful. They will also focus on analysis of process data (e.g. drawings) to provide insight into when particular representational practices are helpful and how they must be executed and supported to gain these benefits

Exploring the value of drawing in learning and assessment

Drawing is increasingly recognized as a literacy of science. It is claimed that when learners draw they engage in ways that help them evaluate and transform their understanding, practice fundamental disciplinary practices and provides the basis for formative or summative assessment. This symposium draws together research on student drawing across different disciplines (e.g. Chemistry, Biology, and Anatomy) to explore the value that drawing can have in learning science and medicine. Importantly, the papers take a nuanced view of the value of drawing; attempting to avoid the sometimes overblown claims that accompany calls for particular approaches to education by addressing situations when drawing has been found to be ineffective as well as helpful. They will also focus on analysis of process data (e.g. drawings) to provide insight into when particular representational practices are helpful and how they must be executed and supported to gain these benefits