Learning and Instruction with Computer Simulations: Learning Processes Involved

Abstract

Nowadays prevalent learning theories state that in the study process the learner is actively involved in constructing and reconstructing his/her knowledge base. This conclusion is reflected in modem approaches to teaching that have abandoned viewing the learner as an 'empty box' into which knowledge could be poured, and stress the active role of the learner and the importance of his/her foreknowledge. Some forms of Computer Assisted Instruction are well suited for this teaching approach. The use of hypertext-like systems, in which learners are encouraged to explore a domain, is such an example. A second example of CAl that elicits exploratory behaviour is simulation-based learning. It is, however, also evident that exploratory learning puts a high cognitive demand on the learner. Instructional support is needed if learning from simulations is to be effective. In practice this support is often provided by human tutors. The topic of the SIMULATE project is to investigate how this support can be given by a computer learning environment. We have termed *Part of the research reported was conducted in the project SIMULATE. SIMULATE is part of SAFE, a R&D project partially funded by the CEC under contract D 1014 within the Exploratory Action of the DELTA programme. In total 17 partners are involved in the SAFE consortium of which Philips TDS is the prime contractor. The partners directly involved in SIMULATE are: Philips TDS (Germany), University of Leeds, University of Lancaster (UK), TIFSA (Spain), University of Amsterdam, Eindhoven University of Technology, Courseware Europe (The Netherlands). Wouter van Joolingen (EUT) contributed to a number of the ideas expressed in this paper. We would also like to thank all our colleagues from the SIMULATE project for their comments on our work, and Wim Vaags (EUT) for commenting on a previous version of this paper. Lynda Hardman has put some polish to the English. Finally, we have greatly appreciated the extensive comments of an anonymous reviewer.