Title: Design and development of a computer-based simulation authoring system for problem-solving instruction
Abstract: Problem solving as a higher level thinking skill is an important educational and training goal. Because of their ability to respond dynamically to a wide range of user input, computer-based simulation environments have the potential for facilitating the acquisition of problem-solving skill beyond that of standard computer-based instructional tutorials. The development of instructional simulations, however, is typically very costly and requires a high level of expertise to create the dynamism typical of computer simulations. General purpose authoring systems provide no prebuilt components, either for defining the rules of a simulation, or for defining the instructional interactions consistent with simulations, for facilitating the development of instructional simulations.
This research defines (a) the instructional features consistent with computer-based simulations for teaching skill in solving problems of transformation and (b) an architecture that makes it possible to reduce the expertise required to create instructional simulations. The instructional interactions focus the learner on acquiring the cause-and-effect relations of the simulation. The architecture follows the general approach of Merrill and the ID2 Research Group in separating domain knowledge from instructional knowledge.
The outcome of this developmental research is a new kind of authoring tool for creating instructional simulations. This product, called the Instructional Simulator, is built in such a way as to reduce the authoring effort required to create the rules of a simulation, and minimizes the effort needed to create instructional interactions consistent with the unique characteristics of a simulation environment. The tool makes the development of simulations for instruction a reality for a wider audience of trainers and educators who do not have the expertise required to create instructionally sound simulation environments using general purpose authoring tools.
Publication Year: 1998
Publication Date: 1998-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 2
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