Subject: help on an NSF proposal

Posted by Michael Hillinger on 5/13/2004

Message:

hello


My name is Michael Hillinger and I develop web-based instruction. Feel free to look at some of my other projects at my web site www.lexiconsys.com. Lees suggested I contact you all with my query.


I am now working on an NSF proposal to develop new ways to utilize the power of STELLA in K-12 education. In particular my goal is to create an interactive, web-based, scenario/games that communicate with a STELLA model running in the background. Not unlike NetSim but with a more interactive interface that may integrate multimedia outcomes, more flexible responses, and other techniques to make input/output to the STELLA model more engaging. I also hope to utilize a multiuser capability that would enable multiple users to control different parts of a model. This is a sketchy description, for sure, but I was hoping those of you who use STELLA all of the time might help me further define some components


I have submitted this proposal to NSF last year and while it was not funded, the reviewer comments were encouraging. One of the reviewers' major concerns was what will it look like and, more important, how will it fit into the classroom. Specifically they asked:


The panel has concerns about the design of the learning scenarios that will work with this kind of simulation. For example, what content is suitable for learning in this kind of system? How will these simulations be part of the more formal learning context? That is, how do teachers embed this in their instruction so that they lead to more predictable, measurable outcomes?


I am not a teacher and I am also not an expert in SD--I have others on the project who are. But I wanted to go to the source and see what ideas you had for candidate topics. Some suggestions in the past have been a "model UN" where multiple countries work or compete to solve a global problem (interesting multiuser capabilities), or a response to a bioterrorism attack with different users assuming different roles and control different aspects of the model.


I am targeting the initial scenario at High School. How would the candidate topic fit into the curriculum? Can I point to state guidelines that it would match? These could and likely be cross curricular.


I realize this is likely a busy time for you all but if you have any thoughts, or need more information, I'll be happy to get the ball rolling and will follow up any emails with further questions and perhaps some ideas.


Since I have to submit in early June, there is some time pressure on me.


Thanks in advance for any help.


Mike


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Michael Hillinger, Ph.D.
LexIcon Systems
115 Hillinger Ln.
Sharon VT 05065
802.763.7599 (office)
802.384.7599 (cell)
email: mlh@lexiconsys.com
http://www.lexiconsys.com/

Follow Ups:

help on an NSF proposal - Steve Kipp 5/17/2004 
help on an NSF proposal - Roy Greenhalgh 5/17/2004 
help on an NSF proposal - Linda Booth Sweeney 5/17/2004 
help on an NSF proposal - Tom Cassidy 5/17/2004
help on an NSF proposal - Michael Hillinger 5/18/2004
help on an NSF proposal - Niall Palfreyman 5/13/2004 
help on an NSF proposal - Michael Hillinger 5/17/2004
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help on an NSF proposal - Michael Hillinger 5/13/2004