11.127 / 11.252 Computer Modeling for Investigation and Education, Spring 2003
Project-based subject in which students from multiple disciplines are encouraged to develop and investigate systems and ideas from their fields of study as they explore the process of building and testing models and simulations. Explores various modeling software packages, criteria for developing th...
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| Format: | Learning Object |
| Language: | en-US |
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2003
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/36334 |
| _version_ | 1826198448453451776 |
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| author | Klopfer, Eric |
| author2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Urban Studies and Planning |
| author_facet | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Urban Studies and Planning Klopfer, Eric |
| author_sort | Klopfer, Eric |
| collection | MIT |
| description | Project-based subject in which students from multiple disciplines are encouraged to develop and investigate systems and ideas from their fields of study as they explore the process of building and testing models and simulations. Explores various modeling software packages, criteria for developing the most appropriate simulation for a given situation, and methods for evaluating the success and utility of models. Students with an education focus consider what and how people learn from simulations, and how modeling tools can be implemented in public school settings. Graduate students are expected to complete additional assignments. From the course home page: Course Description During the past ten years, simulation modeling, especially as it helps people to understand complex systems, has become a mainstream use of computational technology. The widespread popularity of "edutainment" software like SimCity and Civilization gives a clear indication of the extent to which simulation games have permeated popular culture. As these and other games have found places in the classroom, researchers have tried to ascertain what and how students learn from these environments, and what implications this has for software and curriculum design. While it can be useful to experiment with pre-built models like SimCity, a deeper understanding can come through building and manipulating models whose underlying structure is accessible. Just as a young child learns more by building a bridge out of blocks instead of merely playing with a pre-fabricated bridge, designing and creating your own models provide richer learning experiences than simply playing with pre-built models. This learning process is critically important in domains that require an understanding of complex systems, from economics and mathematics to physics and biology. In this project-based course, students from all disciplines are encouraged to understand how we learn from computer environments, develop and investigate systems and ideas from their fields of study, and delve into the process of building and testing models and simulations. In the first part of the course we will explore the design and use of games and simulations in the classroom, and the research and development issues associated with this software. We will then explore various modeling and simulation software packages, criteria for developing the most appropriate simulation for a given situation, and methods for evaluating the success and utility of models. We will also study what and how people learn from simulations (including field testing of software), and how modeling and simulation tools can be implemented in educational settings. All levels of computer experience welcome. Graduate students are expected to complete additional assignments. |
| first_indexed | 2024-09-23T11:05:07Z |
| format | Learning Object |
| id | mit-1721.1/36334 |
| institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| language | en-US |
| last_indexed | 2025-03-10T09:22:36Z |
| publishDate | 2003 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | mit-1721.1/363342025-02-21T18:50:38Z 11.127 / 11.252 Computer Modeling for Investigation and Education, Spring 2003 Computer Modeling for Investigation and Education Klopfer, Eric Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Urban Studies and Planning simulation modeling computational technology SimCity edutainment "edutainment" software Civilization pre-built models 11.127 11.252 Computer simulation Project-based subject in which students from multiple disciplines are encouraged to develop and investigate systems and ideas from their fields of study as they explore the process of building and testing models and simulations. Explores various modeling software packages, criteria for developing the most appropriate simulation for a given situation, and methods for evaluating the success and utility of models. Students with an education focus consider what and how people learn from simulations, and how modeling tools can be implemented in public school settings. Graduate students are expected to complete additional assignments. From the course home page: Course Description During the past ten years, simulation modeling, especially as it helps people to understand complex systems, has become a mainstream use of computational technology. The widespread popularity of "edutainment" software like SimCity and Civilization gives a clear indication of the extent to which simulation games have permeated popular culture. As these and other games have found places in the classroom, researchers have tried to ascertain what and how students learn from these environments, and what implications this has for software and curriculum design. While it can be useful to experiment with pre-built models like SimCity, a deeper understanding can come through building and manipulating models whose underlying structure is accessible. Just as a young child learns more by building a bridge out of blocks instead of merely playing with a pre-fabricated bridge, designing and creating your own models provide richer learning experiences than simply playing with pre-built models. This learning process is critically important in domains that require an understanding of complex systems, from economics and mathematics to physics and biology. In this project-based course, students from all disciplines are encouraged to understand how we learn from computer environments, develop and investigate systems and ideas from their fields of study, and delve into the process of building and testing models and simulations. In the first part of the course we will explore the design and use of games and simulations in the classroom, and the research and development issues associated with this software. We will then explore various modeling and simulation software packages, criteria for developing the most appropriate simulation for a given situation, and methods for evaluating the success and utility of models. We will also study what and how people learn from simulations (including field testing of software), and how modeling and simulation tools can be implemented in educational settings. All levels of computer experience welcome. Graduate students are expected to complete additional assignments. 2003-06 Learning Object 11.127-Spring2003 local: 11.127 local: 11.252 local: IMSCP-MD5-adb67874d1941458488014fa14813934 http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/36334 en-US Usage Restrictions: This site (c) Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2003. Content within individual courses is (c) by the individual authors unless otherwise noted. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is providing this Work (as defined below) under the terms of this Creative Commons public license ("CCPL" or "license"). The Work is protected by copyright and/or other applicable law. Any use of the work other than as authorized under this license is prohibited. By exercising any of the rights to the Work provided here, You (as defined below) accept and agree to be bound by the terms of this license. The Licensor, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, grants You the rights contained here in consideration of Your acceptance of such terms and conditions. text/html Spring 2003 |
| spellingShingle | simulation modeling computational technology SimCity edutainment "edutainment" software Civilization pre-built models 11.127 11.252 Computer simulation Klopfer, Eric 11.127 / 11.252 Computer Modeling for Investigation and Education, Spring 2003 |
| title | 11.127 / 11.252 Computer Modeling for Investigation and Education, Spring 2003 |
| title_full | 11.127 / 11.252 Computer Modeling for Investigation and Education, Spring 2003 |
| title_fullStr | 11.127 / 11.252 Computer Modeling for Investigation and Education, Spring 2003 |
| title_full_unstemmed | 11.127 / 11.252 Computer Modeling for Investigation and Education, Spring 2003 |
| title_short | 11.127 / 11.252 Computer Modeling for Investigation and Education, Spring 2003 |
| title_sort | 11 127 11 252 computer modeling for investigation and education spring 2003 |
| topic | simulation modeling computational technology SimCity edutainment "edutainment" software Civilization pre-built models 11.127 11.252 Computer simulation |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/36334 |
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