Subject: Curriculum - Biology (Burke)

Posted by Susan Ragan on 12/7/2005
In Reply To:Curriculum - Biology (Burke) Posted by John Heinbokel on 12/7/2004

Message:

The application of system dynamics via STELLA models and web-based simulations to high school science is a challenge that teachers associated with the Maryland Virtual High School have been struggling with for the past 10 years. For those of you unfamiliar with MVHS, let me first say that we are not a distance-learning organization. Our virtual presence is dedicated to teachers and their professional growth in using computer models, simulations and visualizations to help their students understand science concepts. We, like Dan, realize that our examples have to relate directly to the concepts the students are expected to learn.

When we started in 1994, we taught science teachers how to build models in STELLA and we developed student and teacher packets so that the students would be able to build models. Systems thinking and graph interpretation skills were benefits that the teachers realized with their students.
Unfortunately, in the current high-stakes testing environment, there are fewer and fewer teachers who can carve out classroom time to have students build models. Tight budgets preclude the purchase of STELLA software and district-controlled computer servers eliminate individual teacher creativity regarding specialized software tools.

As a result, we have started converting our STELLA models to web-based simulations. The simulations allow the students to modify parameters to see the effects on the system and they reinforce valuable graph interpretation skills, but they do not allow for model building. I have seen systems thinking discussed in some of the newer biology textbooks (eg. ecological systems), and the skilled teacher links systems thinking to the simulation.

Materials that we have developed may be found at:

http://mvhs.mbhs.edu/mvhsproj/project2.html
STELLA models and supporting materials

http://www.csragan.com/~brgo
web-based simulations based on MVHS STELLA models (use IE for best
viewing)

Dan and I are collaborating to see if any of the Maryland materials would be useful in North Carolina.

Susan Ragan
Project Director
Maryland Virtual High School http://mvhs1.mbhs.edu
Montgomery Blair High School