Visiting Professor of Instructional Technology

Tom Murray

School of Cognitive Science

Hampshire College

Amherst, MA 01002

Long paper

C0-authors:Larry Winshipall Hampshire College

Ayaly Galton

Neil Stillings

Peter Shaughnessy

SimForest: Curriculum and Software for Inquiry Learning in Forest Ecology

Short Abstract:

In this session we will show the SimForest software and associated curriculum,

and discuss how simulation-based inquiry learning can address various aspects of the inquiry learning cycle in classrooms. We will describe laboratory and classroom-based formative evaluation of the software and curriculum. We will engage the audience in a brief interactive session using the software.

Long Abstract:

As part of an NSF grant project we have developed, evaluated, and deployed

SimForest, a computer simulation and curriculum module for inquiry learning in the area of forest ecology. Using the software students can plant trees from a pool of over 30 regional species, set environmental parameters such as rain fall, temperature, and soil conditions, and watch the forest plot grow and evolve over many years. A forest plot's sensitivity to natural and man-made disturbances can be evaluated, and emergent properties such as species succession can be observed. Graphing tools are provided to help students analyze and visualize these phenomena. The associated curriculum package allows student interests and hypotheses to form the basis for sustained inquiry activities. It also connects the simulation activities with outdoor experiences and actual forest growth data. This software allows students to investigate open ended questions such as: How do trees grow and why do they die? How would global warming (or a flood, or erosion) effect the species distribution of local forests? What are the long term effects of alternative forest management methods (clear cutting, pruning small trees every year, pruning the largest hardwoods every five years, etc.) on the health of the forest? What might the forest behind your school t have looked like 50 years ago? While most computer simulations are "black boxes" that do not allow users to see the simulation model, the forest simulator allows students to "look under the hood" at the underlying forest growth model to inspect and even modify the mathematical relationships involved. Though it is important to first ground student knowledge in real world experiences, simulation-based inquiry can allow students to practice engaging in the entire inquiry cycle many more times, this giving them more practice and more immediate feedback to improve their skills. We will describe laboratory and classroom-based formative evaluation of the software and curriculum. We will engage the audience in a brief interactive session using the software.