Micro-world Learning Environment For Knowledge Construction Characteristics And Its Teaching Applications

The maturity of theoretical ideas and the progress in computer technologies promote the emergence and development of microworld. In recent years, microworld in the field of Education has been concerned gradually:the related academic research are showing an increasing trends year by year, the practical application projects based on microworld are widely carried out in schools at all levels worldwidely. Unlike traditional directed-style teaching model, microworld concerns more about learners'knowledge building and knowledge transfer, attaches much importance to the improvement of high-level thinking and exploration ability of learners, and is good at stimulating the learner motivation and other non-intellectual factors. This dissertation tries to along the mainline of microword and knowledge building, annotates the new connotation of microworld on the basis of the study at home and abroad, emphatically analyzes the characteristics for knowledge building in the microworld environments,brings up relevant knowledge building strategies,and integrates them into the instructional cases based on microworld learning environments. The research methods of the dissertation are literature analysis, comparative research, case studies and action research.1,More comprehensive research and analysis on microworld: tracing the origin of the microworld and looking back the development of related software classification, after listing in the domestic and foreign scholars on the definition of micro-world, presenting the new connotation of the microworld in this dissertation, proposing some expansive ideas, and summing up educational value of microworld. The connotation of microworld , in a narrow sense, is not only a cognitive tool, but also a kind of inquiry learning environment and practical learning activities. Broadly speaking, no matter equipment or environment, what can promote learners to solve problems belongs to the microworld fields.2,Deep analysis of the process and characteristics for knowledge building in the microworld environments:First, taking two different types of microworld as the examples, it explains the interface, platform and superstructure as three important elements. Then, the paper brings up the models of the knowledge building process in the microworld environments. There are five stages within the model which includes raising questions and assumptions, modeling, verification, reflection & evaluation, and knowledge generation. On this basis, it analyzes characteristics for knowledge building emphatically: that is, mental modeling, multiple knowledge representation, scientific discovery learning, immediate feedback, problem solving & situated cognition , and deep learning.3,Discussion on the knowledge building strategies in the microworld environments: at first , based on analyzing the internal and external factors which could impact on students to construct knowledge, five effective strategies are presented as follow: mental orientation strategies, problem presentation strategies, self-explanation strategies, reflective strategies, and assessment strategies.4,Carrying out practical exploration by integrating the content above, and analyzing the three instructional design cases within the microworld environments.