Microworlds and Modeling Tools

A "Sneak Preview" of this workshop is being offered on August 24, 2000.

Workshop Description

This workshop will introduced participants to the concept of a microworld and everyone will explore several well-known microworlds, such as StageCast, Geometer's Sketchpad, ThinkerTools, and Microworlds Project Builder. Other modeling tools will be reviewed as well, such as Interactive Physics. The philosophical underpinning of these tools will be explored in the seminar "Constructivism and Instructional Design". This seminar and workshop are designed to complement one another and students are encouraged to attend both for the "full experience." However, each is designed to function independently.

This workshop will be conducted by Lloyd Rieber.

Workshop Registration

No registration is necessary at this time.

Workshop Resources

 

Geometer's Sketchpad Home Page

http://www.keypress.com/product_info/sketchpad3.html

You can download a demo version of GSP from this site.

 

Knowledge Revolution Home Page

http://www.krev.com/

This is the company that offers a variety of simulation/modeling packages, such as Interactive Physics. You can get a free demo CD of their products.

 

ThinkerTools Home Page

http://thinkertools.berkeley.edu:7019/index.html

A physics microworld appropriate for elementary school children and MIT graduate students alike. You can download the complete software (not a demo) for free from this site. But be sure to learn more about the Scientific Inquiry Model associated with this project.

 

Stagecast Software

http://www.stagecast.com/

Stagecast's flagship product is Stagecast Creator, which lets people of all ages develop cool games, interactive stories, engaging lessons and other simulations - collectively called "worlds." The predecessor to StageCast was a product developed by Apple called Cocoa (and before that it was known as KidSim).

 

StarLogo

http://lcs.www.media.mit.edu/groups/el/Projects/starlogo/

StarLogo is a programmable modeling environment for exploring the behaviors of decentralized systems, such as bird flocks, traffic jams, and ant colonies. It is designed especially for use by students.

 

SimCalc

http://tango.mth.umassd.edu/simcalc/

The SimCalc Project aims to democratize access to the Mathematics of Change for mainstream students by combining advanced simulation technology with innovative curriculum that begins in the early grades and includes powerful ideas extending beyond classical calculus.