| Project | AgentSheets (creating SimCity(tm)-like interactive simulations) |
| Contact | Dr. Alexander Repenning |
| alexandr@agentsheets.com | |
| URL | http://www.agentsheets.com |
| Project description | We create agent-based simulation construction tools allowing people to create their own interactive, SimCity(tm)-like simulations. Simulations can be exported as Java applets runnable in web browsers or as JavaBeans that can be combined with other educational components such as SimCalc. AgentSheets supports collaborative simulation building by allowing users to exchange individual agents via the web. Example applications: http://www.agentsheets.com/showcase.html |
| Theoretical background | Context: exploration of end-user programming in context of lifelong learning. Issues: optimal flow of programming learning experience, domain-orientation, use of visualization, expressiveness, ease of use, social programming* 1991; combination of programming by example and graphical rewrite rules => AgentSheets 91* 1993: commercialization; collaboration with Apple: AgentSK8, KidSim, Cocoa* 1994: Tactile Programming; reseach showed limitations of graphical rewrite rules, Visual AgenTalk allows end-users to build much more complex simulation than graphical rewrite rules without being harder to program [Lewis 95]. http://www.cs.colorado.edu/~l3d/systems/ agentsheets/above-C-level.html |
| Challenges | How can the use and design of interactive simulations work out in lifelong learning?K-12: what kind of teacher education is necessary? How do activities need to be structured? How can simulation building be scaffolded away from programming into activities relevant to curriculum?Workplace: how can simulation be used as effective form of communication in learning on demand scenarios? |
| Partnership | publishers: explore the extension of more traditional instructivist content with constructivist models. |