Page 87 - Getting the Picture Modeling and Simulation in Secondary Computer Science Education
P. 87

Aspect
Teacher
12 3 4
x x
x
x x x x
56
78910
xxxx x
analysis reflection
x
x xx
xx Table 4: Teachers’ PCK on modeling cycle
Investigating CS Teachers’ Initial PCK on Modeling and Simulation
   purpose
research
abstraction
formulating
requirements/ specification implementation verification/ validation experiment
x x xx
xx
x
x
xx xx
x
x
xx x xx
xx x xx x
xx
 Concerning the nature of models, six teachers said that models were a
simplified representation of reality, three reported that models were something 4 to be used for calculations, two saw models as something for visualization and communication, and one also mentioned physical models. Regarding the contexts
for the use of models, the teachers mentioned information systems, scientific
research and cited several examples (e.g. exploring group forming on ethnical
basis). Several teachers stressed the fact that CS served other disciplines — an idea
that persistently permeates their thinking about modeling and teaching modeling.
According to the teachers, the objectives of teaching modeling are twofold: • Conceptual objectives: these objectives emphasize learning to master skills associated with CS subject matter. Teachers mention CT aspect automation, software design cycle, the necessary research skills, analysis of the world the students live in, linking and translating reality to model through abstraction, building a model and, in words of teacher 9, “using it [...] so that you can predict things
or test things, or ... ehm ..., understand things”.
• Motivational and practical objectives: these objectives focus
on students’ engagement, motivation, attitude, skills, practical benefits, insight and awareness about relevance. Teachers mention perseverance, building confidence about students’ own ability, developing self-reliance, and realizing that models are useful tools that can be used in specific situations. In this light, learning to model helps to enhance students’ insight, it helps develop cooperation and communication skills, it is interesting or fun, it serves as preparation
85
 


























































   85   86   87   88   89