Title: Modeling and Simulation Technologies
for Educational Reform (MASTER)
Performer(s):
Dr. Robert Panoff
Shodor Education Foundation Inc.
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Cluster: CAPER
Contact Information:
Phone: 919-688-2176
Fax: 919-688-2697
email: rpanoff@ncsa.uiuc.edu
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1. Instructional Focus:
Content areas/topics: Math and science.
Process skills: Collaborative teaching-learning environment; emphasis on inquiry.
2. Target Population: K-12 teachers and students.
3. Summary Description: MASTER integrates math and science simulations with seamless network support to enable K-12 classroom participants to experience science through computer exploration and observation. It provides teachers and students easy access to supercomputers through the Internet.
4. Training and Staff Development:
- Teacher prerequisite skills/knowledge needed: General familiarity with interactive computer programs.
- Student prerequisite skills needed: General familiarity with interactive computer programs.
- Training needed/provided: Teachers and students will need to learn how to approach science through observation and inquiry through powerful computing capability and simulations. Teachers will receive training in advance in the use of these technologies.
- Technical support needed/provided: Infrastructure to back up connectivity will be provided. Access to help in trouble shooting problems will also be provided.
5. Technologies/Resources Needed: Mac 7.5+ (earlier versions will also work); eventual expansion to PC/Windows; Internet access; web browsers.
6. Intended Outcome(s):
Students: Students will approach science as observers and investigators, in other words, as scientists.
Teachers: Teachers will learn how to use powerful computing capability to teach science in new ways, emphasizing observation and investigation. They will approach instruction with the same orientation toward science as that of real world scientists.
7. Instructional Time Required: Class time required is yet to be determined; it will vary according to teachersŐ requirements.
8. Role of the pilot teacher(s): Teachers will identify topics to be developed into modules and provide feedback and assessment about the effectiveness of the materials.
9. Example(s) of Use of This Product (Scenario): Students study the formation of galaxies through a super computer. This supercomputer will have the capability of enabling students to adjust the galaxy formation conditions and observe the effects.
