DynaLearn - Engaging and informed tools for learning conceptual system knowledge
Abstract
Despite this importance, there is an alarming decline in the number of students choosing science subjects. Reasons for this include the perceived complexity, the idea that these subjects are uninteresting and tedious, and the lack of effective cognitive tools that enable learners to acquire the expertise in a way that fits its qualitative nature. The DynaLearn project seeks to address these problems by integrating well established, but currently independent technological developments, and utilize the added value that emerges. Specifically, diagrammatic representations will be used for learners to articulate, analyse and communicate ideas, and thereby construct their conceptual knowledge. Ontology mapping will be used to find and match co-learners working on similar ideas to provide individualised and mutually benefiting learning opportunities. Virtual characters will be used to make the interaction engaging and motivating. The development of the workbench will be tuned to fit key topics from environmental science curricula, and evaluated and further improved in the context of existing curricula using case studies. Through this approach, the DynaLearn project will deliver an individualised and engaging cognitive tool for acquiring conceptual knowledge that fits the true nature of this expertise. Conceptual knowledge of system's behaviour is crucial for society to understand and successfully interact with its environment. Acquiring this expertise is therefore a valuable aspect of science education.
Publikationen
Evaluating the potential of Qualitative Reasoning to capture and communicate knowledge on sustainable catchment management
Autoren: Zitek A., S. Preis, M. Poppe, S. Muhar Jahr: 2009
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
DynaLearn environmental science curriculum requirements. DynaLearn, EC FP7 STREP project 231526, Deliverable D6.1
Autoren: Salles, P., Assumpção Costa e Silva, P., Gontijo de Sá, I., Noble, R., Zitek, A., Uzunov, Y. and Mioduser, D. Jahr: 2009
Forschungsbericht (extern. Auftraggeber)
Dissemination and Communication Plan. DynaLearn, EC FP7 STREP project 231526, Deliverable D8.1
Autoren: Gómez-Pérez, J.M., Salles, P., Wissner, M., Mioduser, D., Bredeweg, B., Noble, R., Uzunov, Y., Zitek, A. and consortium members Jahr: 2009
Forschungsbericht (extern. Auftraggeber)
DynaLearn lessons and assignment schemata. DynaLearn, EC FP7 STREP project 231526, Deliverable D7.1
Autoren: Mioduser, D., Salles, P., Noble, R., Zitek, A., Benayahu, Y., Zurel, D., Leiba, M., Zuzovsky, R., Nachmias, R. Jahr: 2010
Forschungsbericht (extern. Auftraggeber)
How can we cope with the complexity of the environment? A "Learning by modelling" approach using qualitative reasoning for developing causal models and simulations with focus on Sustainable River Catchment Management
Autoren: Poppe, M., Zitek, A., Salles, P., Bredeweg, B., Muhar, S. Jahr: 2010
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) – Basic Topics and Models. DynaLearn, EC FP7 STREP project 231526, Deliverable D5.2.5
Autoren: Zitek, A., Poppe, M., Stelzhammer, M., Jung, A., Zacharias, M., Muhar, S. Jahr: 2010
Forschungsbericht (extern. Auftraggeber)
A new curriculum for teaching conceptual systems understanding of river catchments
Autoren: Zitek A., Poppe, M., Stelzhammer, M., Jung, A., Zacharias, M., Muhar S. Jahr: 2010
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
First evaluations of the effect of the DynaLearn software on conceptual understanding of river catchments
Autoren: Zitek A., Poppe, M., Stelzhammer, M., Jung, A., Zacharias, M., Muhar S. Jahr: 2010
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
BOKU evaluation of DynaLearn prototype. EC FP7 STREP project 231526, Deliverable D7.2.5
Autoren: Zitek, A., Poppe, M., Stelzhammer, M. Jahr: 2010
Forschungsbericht (extern. Auftraggeber)
Enabling causal systems understanding using a conceptual modelling workbench (invited presentation)
Autoren: Zitek, A., Noble, R., Poppe, M., Stelzhammer, M., Muhar S., Bredeweg, B. Jahr: 2011
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
How can we increase causal and structural system understanding in environmental science? First evaluation results of a conceptual modelling software (DynaLearn) in Austria
Autoren: Poppe M., Zitek A., Stelzhammer M., Bredeweg B., Muhar S. Jahr: 2011
Journal articles
Evaluating the effects of a new qualitative simulation software (DynaLearn) on learning behavior, factual and causal understanding
Autoren: Zitek, A., Poppe, M., Stelhammer, M., Muhar, S., Bredeweg, B. Jahr: 2011
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
Educating river managers of the future by teaching conceptual systems understanding
Autoren: Zitek, A., Poppe, M., Stelzhammer, M., Jung, A., Zacharias, M., Muhar, S. Jahr: 2011
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
DynaLearn curriculum reflection and advancement. DynaLearn, EC FP7 STREP project 231526, Deliverable D6.3.
Autoren: Noble, R., Salles, P., Zitek, A., Mioduser, D., Zuzovsky, R., Borisova, P. Jahr: 2011
Forschungsbericht (extern. Auftraggeber)
Evaluation of DynaLearn – first phase insights. DynaLearn, EC FP7 STREP project 231526, Deliverable D7.2.6.
Autoren: Mioduser, D., Zuzovsky, R. (eds.), Salles, P., Souza, A., Portella, A., Braga, E., Wilhelms, L., Pereira Resende, M., Morison, G., Assumpção da Costa e Silva, P., Gontijo de Sá, I., Pires, L., Simões, A., Noble, R., Borisova, P., Uzunov, Y., Zurel, D., Leiba, M., Benayahu, H., Nachmias, R., Ram, J., Zitek, A., Poppe, M., Stelzhammer, M. Jahr: 2011
Forschungsbericht (extern. Auftraggeber)
Final report on DynaLearn evaluation studies.DynaLearn, EC FP7 STREP project 231526, Deliverable D7.4.
Autoren: Mioduser, D., Zuzovsky, R., Salles, P., Souza, A., Portella, A., Braga, E., Wilhelms, L., Pereira Resende, M., Morison, G., Assumpção da Costa e Silva, P., Gontijo de Sá, I., Pires, L., Simões, A., Noble, R., Cowx, I., Borisova, P., Liem, J., Uzunov, Y., Zurel, D., Leiba, M., Benayahu, H., Nachmias, R., Ram J., Zitek, A., Poppe, M. & Stelzhammer, M. Jahr: 2012
Forschungsbericht (extern. Auftraggeber)
DynaLearn curriculum for environmental science. DynaLearn, EC FP7 STREP project 231526, Deliverable D6.5.
Autoren: Salles, S., Souza, A., Noble, R., Zitek, A., Borisova, P., Leiba, M. & Bredeweg, B. Jahr: 2012
Forschungsbericht (extern. Auftraggeber)
Second DynaLearn workshop. DynaLearn, EC FP7 STREP project 231526, Deliverable 8.3.2
Autoren: Salles, S., Bredeweg, B., Corcho, O., Zitek, A. Jahr: 2012
Forschungsbericht (extern. Auftraggeber)
Project staff
Susanne Muhar
Ao.Univ.Prof.i.R. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Susanne Muhar
susanne.muhar@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-81210
Project Leader
01.02.2009 - 31.01.2012
Andreas Zitek
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Andreas Zitek MSc.
andreas.zitek@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-31212
Sub Projectleader
01.02.2009 - 31.01.2012