Classifying Interactive Features of Scientific Cognitive Tools

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Rowhani, S. & Sedig, K. (2009). Classifying Interactive Features of Scientific Cognitive Tools. In G. Siemens & C. Fulford (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2009 (pp. 1015-1020). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
Retrieved from http://www.editlib.org/p/31615.

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Conference Information

World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications (EDMEDIA) 2009
Honolulu, HI, USA
June 22, 2009
ISBN 1-880094-73-8
  George Siemens & Catherine Fulford
AACE

More Information on EDMEDIA
Table of Contents

Authors

Sonja Rowhani, Kamran Sedig, University of Western Ontario, Canada

Abstract

This paper examines how interaction can support learning with visual representations in scientific cognitive tools (SCTs), where SCTs are a subset of cognitive tools that are intended to support learners in their exploration of scientific concepts and phenomena. Visual representations (VRs) encode properties of the underlying scientific phenomena using graphical symbols. VRs are often embedded in SCTs to support mental processes. Interaction can extend the communicative power of VRs and support learners in cognitive activities such as experimentation and reasoning. This paper describes eight SCTs and outlines the interactive features and techniques that are used in these tools. These features and techniques are then analyzed, abstracted, classified, and presented in the context of an expandable, descriptive framework of 12 interactions. The framework characterizes and discusses each interaction, pointing out how it can support cognitive tasks involved in learning, whether it can have potential negative influences, and how it can be implemented.

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