Design-based Science Learning: Important Challenges and How Technology Can Make a Difference

Abstract

The affordances of design activity for science learning are well-recognized. However, the implementation of design-based science learning in classrooms presents a number of significant challenges. We have been exploring some of these challenges in our design-based approach to science learning called Learning by Design (LBD). In this article, we describe two significant challenges we faced in implementing our LBD approach and present two strategies that we have implemented in our software, SIMCARS, to address them. We also present the results of a pilot study which suggest that when SIMCARS was integrated into one of LBD's science units, it helped the participants of our study to overcome the identified challenges of learning effectively from design activity.