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Initial ideas for a vismod framework

Overview

In class on January 25, we split into small groups to try to better define the three focus areas for thinking about visualization and modeling. Here are our initial takes on those areas.

Issues of curricular and pedagogical design

  1. Are particular theories of pedagogy well suited to certain kinds of visualization/modeling environments?
  2. What methodologies can be applied to document the effects of technology and/or pedagogy in the classroom? How do we disentangle the fact that often, both technology and new pedagogical approaches are introduced at the same time?
  3. How much curricula is needed to support technology? Are some vis/mod tools usable without curricula?
  4. How much professional development is needed to take advantage of vis/mod tools?
  5. What is the technological and curricular design process like?
  6. Where does learner-centered design/HCI come into play? (And does it belong here or in the next category?)

Enabling technological design issues

  1. Do we want to use generic tools or develop domain specific tools.

    2. Generic tools probably have a learning curve (as we saw in Hay paper) but maybe it is worth having kids learn them, if they can be used in several domains.

  2. Same tools for experts and novices?

    3. This seems central to the constructivist view (establish communities of practice etc.) However, can get much out of an expert tool? It takes 10 years to make an expert, and part of being an expert is being able to use the visualizations etc. of the domain. Is it possible to develop "scaled down" visualizations that novices can learn easily that are really similar to those that experts use.

  3. What would we want from a tool?
  4. Interactivity
  5. Ability to engage a team
  6. Ease of learning
  7. Familiarity (e.g. use an interface that is already familiar from video games)
  8. (These depend on ones philosophy of education)
  9. When should new tools, i.e. visualizations be used.

    10. Assuming there is some cost to developing and using new tools, we should figure out which learning situations they enhance and which can be accomplished just as well by more traditional teaching methods.

  10. Economics
  11. Do schools have access to the hardware and software needed to use visualizations?
  12. Will they require more teachers? In Hay's study there were 2 "mentors" for 6 kids
  13. Cost of teacher professional development
  14. Cost of development of the tools (especially if they have to be used with current teacher-student ratios).
  15. How much are the new tools driving pedagogy versus the opposite?

    16. Maybe they do have to drive pedagogy somewhat. If new learning tools become pervasive in society, maybe it is important that children learn to use them and pedagogy should change.

Learning theories and implications

  1. How can theories of instruction incorporate the group of studies showing that a one-time exposure to a visualization changes understanding and has lasting impact?

    2. Example studies

  2. Linn & Hsi (2000) report on the Lewis dissertation finding for HeatBars.
  3. Tony Greenbow reports on classroom research on a film showing 3D molecular interactions.
  4. Hsi & Agogino report on the value of a Saturday workshop for entering undergraduate engineering students.
  5. Which theoretical views clarify the impact and importance of constructing visualizations or representations rather than viewing completed products?

    6. Example studies

  6. Resnick, Mitch STARLogo
  7. diSessa, inventing graphing
  8. Boston U, building molecules in chemistry
  9. Which theories help us understand the role of background knowledge in interpreting and constructing representations?

    10. Example issues

  10. Knowledge organization
  11. Process/content distinctions
  12. What comes first, knowledge or model?
  13. What theories guide the design of a model? How do we decide what information to highlight and what information to omit?

    14. Example issues

  14. When do models introduce and reinforce non-normative ideas?
  15. What historical examples of theory and research shed light on current thinking?
  16. Gestalt
  17. Gibson
  18. Shepard and Cooper
  19. David Marrs
  20. Metaphors--Don Norman
  21. Neurobiology
  22. What instructional frameworks or ideas help analyze curricular changes that result from opportunities afforded by visualization and modeling tools?
  23. Impact of CAD programs on design of graphical communication course
  24. Impact of calculators or Algebra courses
  25. How do the economics, digital divide, and related implementation issues impact on views of learning, instruction, and equity?