Exploring Evolutionary Concepts with Immersive Simulations

Abstract

This paper presents two iterations of our design of an immersive simulation and inquiry activity for exploring evolutionary concepts in a Grade 11 Biology course. Interacting with large projected displays of animated rainforest flora and fauna, students worked as "field researchers" to observe changes in life forms occurring over a 200 million year span. Students gathered evidence of evolution using networked tablet computers that scaffolded their interactions with peers and with the room itself. Improvements from the first to the second design iteration focused on (1) improving content-focused interactions within the simulation; (2) improving the integration of the simulation activity into the overall curriculum; (3) improving embodied interactions of students working within the physical space. Student explanations from the second implementation demonstrated increased variation in evolutionary topics compared to those in the first iteration. Key design features from the two iterations are discussed with respect to the observed interaction patterns.