Using Collaborative Agent-Based Computer Modeling to Explore Tri-Trophic Cascades with Elementary School Science Students

Abstract

This paper investigates an in-service teacher and her student’s abilities to utilize, implement, and enact a participatory agent-based modeling program, developed as part of the group-based cloud computing (GbCC) for STEM Education Project funded by the National Science Foundation. In this first cycle of design-based implementation research with an in-service teacher and her 300 students, we examine student participatory learning and teacher experience. By implementing models with teachers, we intend to 1) improve iteratively the GbCC learning technologies and 2) develop more informed and aligned pedagogies for teaching in socially mediated and generative learning environments.