Using Authentic Cases through the Use of a Web-Based Professional Development System to Support Preservice Teachers in Examining Classroom Practice

Michael Barnett

Action in Teacher Education Vol. 29, No. 4 (2008) pp. 3–14

Within the past few years, there have been numerous studies that suggest that preservice teachers need and want opportunities to observe, visit, interact, and collaboratively reflect with teachers who are attempting to implement reform-based...

Using Virtual Reality Computer Models to Support Student Understanding of Astronomical Concepts

Michael Barnett

Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching Vol. 24, No. 4 (Oct 06, 2005) pp. 333–356

The purpose of this study was to examine how three-dimensional (3-D) models of the Solar System supported student development of conceptual understandings of various astronomical phenomena that required a change in frame of reference. In the course...

Topics: research, Instructional Design, design, Multimedia, Science, Science, Virtual reality, Science Education, Educational multimedia, Research Methods, Virtual Environments

Engaging Inner City Students in Learning through Designing Remote Operated Vehicles

Michael Barnett

Journal of Science Education and Technology Vol. 14, No. 1 (March 2005) pp. 87–100

For the past year we have been developing and implementing a program in which students design and construct remote operated vehicles. In this paper, we report on a pilot study that occurred over the course of an academic year in an inner city high...

Using a Web-Based Professional Development System to Support Preservice Teachers in Examining Authentic Classroom Practice

Michael Barnett

Journal of Technology and Teacher Education Vol. 14, No. 4 (October 2006) pp. 701–729

We have been exploring the potential of a web-supported professional development system, the Inquiry Learning Forum (ILF), that integrates videotaped classrooms and discussion forums for use in preservice science methods classrooms. This article...

Topics: Information Communication Technologies, Teachers, Educational Technology, Elementary Education, Science

Using Video Games to Support Pre-Service Elementary Teachers Learning of Basic Physics Principles

Janice Anderson; Michael Barnett

Journal of Science Education and Technology Vol. 20, No. 4 (August 2011) pp. 347–362

The purpose of this work is to share our findings in using video gaming technology to facilitate the understanding of basic electromagnetism with pre-service elementary teachers. To this end we explored the impact of using a game called ...

Impact of an Engineering Design-Based Curriculum Compared to an Inquiry-Based Curriculum on Fifth Graders' Content Learning of Simple Machines

Ismail Marulcu; Michael Barnett

Research in Science & Technological Education Vol. 34, No. 1 (2016) pp. 85–104

Background: Elementary Science Education is struggling with multiple challenges. National and State test results confirm the need for deeper understanding in elementary science education. Moreover, national policy statements and researchers call for ...

Students' Conceptions of Sound Waves Resulting from the Enactment of a New Technology-Enhanced Inquiry-Based Curriculum on Urban Bird Communication

Meredith E. Houle; G Michael Barnett

Journal of Science Education and Technology Vol. 17, No. 3 (June 2008) pp. 242–251

The emerging field of urban ecology has the potential to engage urban youth in the practices of scientists by studying a locally relevant environmental problem. To this end, we are developing curriculum modules designed to engage students in...

Developing an Empirical Account of a Community of Practice: Characterizing the Essential Tensions

Sasha A. Barab; Michael Barnett; Kurt Squire

Journal of the Learning Sciences Vol. 11, No. 4 (2002) pp. 489–542

This article examines the potential of a learning-as-a-part-of-a-community approach, focusing on the participatory process of learning in a community-based, teacher education program; a Community of Teachers (CoT). CoT is a preparation program for...

The Virtual Solar System Project

Michael Barnett; Sasha A. Barab; Kenneth E. Hay

Journal of College Science Teaching Vol. 30, No. 5 (2001) pp. 300–4

Describes an introductory astronomy course designed for non-science majors. Uses the project-based learning approach and requires students to construct 3-D models for three astronomical phenomena. (YDS)

The Impact of Three-Dimensional Computational Modeling on Student Understanding of Astronomy Concepts: A Qualitative Analysis. Research Report

John A. Hansen; Michael Barnett; James G. MaKinster; Thomas Keating

International Journal of Science Education Vol. 26, No. 13 (Oct 29, 2004) pp. 1555–1575

In this study, we explore an alternate mode for teaching and learning the dynamic, three-dimensional (3D) relationships that are central to understanding astronomical concepts. To this end, we implemented an innovative undergraduate course in which...

Constructing Virtual Worlds: Tracing the Historical Development of Learner Practices

Sasha A. Barab; Kenneth E. Hay; Michael Barnett; Kurt Squire

Cognition and Instruction Vol. 19, No. 1 (2001) pp. 47–94

Explored learning and instruction within a technology-rich, collaborative, participatory learning environment by tracking the emergence of shared understanding and products through student and teacher practices. Found that becoming knowledgeably...

Urban Environmental Education: Leveraging Technology and Ecology to Engage Students in Studying the Environment

Michael Barnett; Meredith Houle Vaughn; Eric Strauss; Lindsey Cotter

International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education Vol. 20, No. 3 (2011) pp. 199–214

In this paper, we describe the outcomes of the first year of an intensive, urban ecology focused, summer program for urban high school youth. Students in our program conduct scientific investigations of their urban ecosystems while exploring...

The Impact of Three-Dimensional Computational Modeling on Student Understanding of Astronomical Concepts: A Quantitative Analysis

John Hansen; Michael Barnett; James MaKinster; Thomas Keating

International Journal of Science Education Vol. 26, No. 11 (Sep 17, 2004) pp. 1365–1378

The increased availability of computational modeling software has created opportunities for students to engage in scientific inquiry through constructing computer-based models of scientific phenomena. However, despite the growing trend of...

The Virtual Solar System Project: Developing Conceptual Understanding of Astronomical Concepts through Building Three-Dimensional Computational Models

Thomas Keating; Michael Barnett; Sasha A. Barab; Kenneth E. Hay

Journal of Science Education and Technology Vol. 11, No. 3 (2002) pp. 261–75

Describes the Virtual Solar System (VSS) course which is one of the first attempts to integrate three-dimensional (3-D) computer modeling as a central component of introductory undergraduate education. Assesses changes in student understanding of...

STEM Teacher Professional Development – Lessons Learned from NSF’s ITEST Program

Caroline Parker; Kathryn Bertram; Karen Yanowitz; Michael Barnett; Susan Yoon

Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2010 (Mar 29, 2010) pp. 3331–3336

This panel presents papers that share lessons on important issues related to STEM teacher education learned from the National Science Foundation’s ITEST (Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers) program. These papers will be...

An exploration of geospatial technology as a mechanism for college students’ scientific and mathematical understanding of the ecological and economic trade-offs of urban planning

Dennis DeBay; Youjin Lee; Michael Barnett; Jim Haley; Amy Anderson

World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2012 (Oct 09, 2012) pp. 110–117

This paper presents findings of a study focused on the development of college students understanding of the ecological and economic trade-offs of urban planning modelling in a large undergraduate science class designed for non-science majors. Forty-...

Learning about Urban Ecology Through the use of Visualization and Geospatial Technologies

Michael Barnett; Meredith Houle; Sheron Mark; Eric Strauss; Emily Hoffman

Journal of Technology and Teacher Education Vol. 18, No. 2 (April 2010) pp. 287–317

During the past three years we have been designing and implementing a technology enhanced urban ecology program using geographic information systems (GIS) coupled with technology. Our initial work focused on professional development for in-service...

Topics: Computers, Preservice Teacher Education, Software, Educational Technology, Science

Designed Curriculum and Local Culture: Acknowledging the Primacy of Classroom Culture

Kurt D. Squire; James G. MaKinster; Michael Barnett; April Lynn Luehmann; Sasha L. Barab

Science Education Vol. 87, No. 4 (2003) pp. 468–89

Examines four teachers implementing a project-based curriculum (Air Quality module) on a web-based platform (ActiveInk Network) in four very different settings. Discusses each case across two themes by examining how the project-level question was...

The Urban Tree Project

Michael Barnett; Meredith Houle; Elizabeth Hufnagel; Alexander Pancic; Mike Lehman; Emily Hoffman

Science Teacher Vol. 77, No. 2 (February 2010) pp. 35–39

Geospatial technologies have emerged over the last 15 years as one of the key tools used by environmental scientists (NRC 2006). In fact, educators have recognized that coupling geospatial technologies with environmental science topics and...

The Impact of Science Fiction Film on Student Understanding of Science

Michael Barnett; Heather Wagner; Anne Gatling; Janice Anderson; Meredith Houle; Alan Kafka

Journal of Science Education and Technology Vol. 15, No. 2 (April 2006) pp. 179–191

Researchers who have investigated the public understanding of science have argued that fictional cinema and television has proven to be particularly effective at blurring the distinction between fact and fiction. The rationale for this study lies in ...

Virtual Solar System Project: Learning through a Technology-Rich, Inquiry-Based, Participatory Learning Environment

Sasha A. Barab; Kenneth E. Hay; Kurt Squire; Michael Barnett; Rae Schmidt; Kristen Karrigan; Lisa Yamagata-Lynch; Christine Johnson

Journal of Science Education and Technology Vol. 9, No. 1 (2000) pp. 7–25

Describes an introductory undergraduate astronomy course in which the large-lecture format was moved to one in which students were immersed in a technologically-rich, inquiry-based, participatory learning environment. Finds that virtual reality can...