Summer Course: June 2011 (Computer Modeling – ViMAP & Robotics)
by gokul on Jun.24, 2011, under Courses
An Impressionistic Art Installation Using ViMAP: Artist - Anderson
We offered a two week course on Computer Modeling for elementary and middle school students during June 20 – July 2. In this course, we introduced students to agent-based modeling, using ViMAP, a visual programming language we are developing in the lab, and Lego MindStorms NXT.
In this space, we will post a few interesting images and videos of students building models and taking on interesting programming challenges.
Masters Theses
by admin on May.19, 2011, under Papers
- Hubbell, W. (2011). Learning Physics With Visual Agent-based Programming. Unpublished Masters Thesis. Vanderbilt University, USA.
- Dickes, A. (2010). Learning Natural Selection in 4th Grade With Multi-Agent-Based Computational Models. Unpublished Masters Thesis. Vanderbilt University, USA.
Ecology and Evolution
by admin on May.19, 2011, under Papers
- Basu, S., Biswas, G. & Sengupta, P. (2011). Scaffolding to support learning of ecology in simulation environments.In:Proceedings of the 15th International Conference of Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED, 2011).
- Dickes, A., & Sengupta, P. (2011). Learning Natural Selection in 4th Grade With Multi-Agent-Based Computational Models. In Sengupta, P. (Chair), & Hall, R. (Discussant). Models, Modeling, and Naïve Intuitive Knowledge in Science Learning. Symposium presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the Jean Piaget Society, Berkeley, CA.
NIELS
by admin on May.19, 2011, under Papers
- Sengupta, P. (2010). The Role of Perceptual Signatures and Agent-Level Mechanisms in Understanding Emergence: An Example in Learning Electricity. International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2010).
- Sengupta, P. (2010). Learning Electricity in Middle Grades with Agent-based Computer Models. Poster Accepted for Presentation at the 2010 Annual Conference of International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE 2010). Denver, Co.
- Sengupta, P. (2010). On The Cognitive Implications of Designing A Multi-Agent Models-based Computational Learning Environment in Electricity (NIELS) Based on Intuitive, Agent-level Mechanisms. Poster Accepted for Presentation at Annual Conference of National Association of Research on Science Teaching (NARST 2010), Philadelphia, PA.
- Sengupta, P., & Wilensky, U. (2010). Intuitive Mechanisms, Agent-Based Models and learning Physics. Poster accepted for presentation at the 2010 Annual Conference of Games, Learning and Society. Madison, WI.
- Sengupta, P., & Wilensky, U. (2011). Lowering the Learning Threshold: Multi-agent-Based Models and Learning Electricity. In Khine, M.S., & Saleh, I.M (Eds.). Dynamic Modeling: Cognitive Tool for Scientific Inquiry, pp 141 – 171. Springer, New York, NY.
- Sengupta, P., & Wilensky, U. (2009). Learning electricity with NIELS: Thinking with electrons and thinking in levels.International Journal of Computers for Mathematical Learning, 14(1), 21-50.
Participatory Simulations in Physics
by admin on May.19, 2011, under Papers
Sengupta, P. (2011). Learning Electromagnetism with ElectroHub – A Digital Game Based on Participatory Simulations. In “Digital Games and Science Learning”, Clark, D. (Org.). Invited paper session at the Annual Conference of NARST, 2011.
Visual Programming
by admin on May.19, 2011, under Papers
- Sengupta, P. (2011). Principles for Designing a Visual Programming Language to Integrate Agent-based modeling in K-12 Science. Paper accepted for presentation at SwarmFest 2011.
- Sengupta, P. (2011). Design Principles for a Visual Programming Language to Integrate Agent-based modeling in K-12 Science.Proceedings of the EighthInternational Conference of Complex Systems (ICCS 2011).
NRC Report on Simulations, Games & Science Learning Published
by admin on Oct.19, 2009, under In the News, Papers
Nano-science Using Lego
by admin on Oct.12, 2009, under Interesting
This story was reported by Physorg.com at http://www.physorg.com/news170440803.html. I am quoting an excerpt of the story (including the title and photo) from their website below:
Begin quote:
LEGO toy helps researchers learn what happens on nanoscale
August 25th, 2009 [Reported by Physorg ]
A tiny white ball is released into a Lego board with peg pieces, immersed in a tank filled with glycerol to help researchers visualize what happens at nanoscale in microfluidic arrays.
Photo Credit: Will Kirk/JHU
Johns Hopkins engineers are using a popular children’s toy to visualize the behavior of particles, cells and molecules in environments too small to see with the naked eye. These researchers are arranging little LEGO pieces shaped like pegs to re-create microscopic activity taking place inside lab-on-a-chip devices at a scale they can more easily observe. …….”
End quote
Read the full story here: http://www.physorg.co/news170440803.html
Hello world!
by admin on Sep.08, 2009, under M3Lab
The Mind, Matter & Media Lab (M3Lab, in short) is a Learning Sciences research lab at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, directed by Prof. Pratim Sengupta. This blog is intended to be a space for regular updates about our research and outreach programs. From time to time, we will also post links or updates on relevant research by our colleagues and other research groups.
We conduct research along two strands: Design, and Cognition. Along the Design strand, we focus on development and classroom implementation of LTHC (i.e., Low-Threshold and High-Ceiling) computational learning environments. We are particularly interested in multi-agent based modeling and its uses in educational settings. Along the cognition strand, we are interested in building models of human learning, particularly in the domain of physics. We use theoretical, computational and empirical approaches to do so.
We work with schools in the Nashville area, as well as in Chicago.
Our primary research goals are to investigate the relationship between representational systems and the ways in which knowledge is/can be represented in scientific domains, and their implications for learnability. To this end, we are actively involved in designing new forms of computation-based learning environments that enable us to reconceive domains, as well as lower the threshold for learning these domains.
Location: Room 247, Wyatt Center, Vanderbilt University
Web: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/m3lab
Email: m3lab.vu at m3lab.org or pratim.sengupta at vanderbilt.edu
