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Designing Effective Spaces, Tasks and Metrics for Communication in Second Life Within the Context of Programming LEGO NXT Mindstorms™ Robots

Designing Effective Spaces, Tasks and Metrics for Communication in Second Life Within the Context of Programming LEGO NXT Mindstorms™ Robots

Michael Vallance (Future University Hakodate, Japan), Stewart Martin (Teesside University, UK), Charles Wiz (Yokohama National University, Japan) and Paul van Schaik (Teesside University, UK)
Copyright: © 2010 |Volume: 1 |Issue: 1 |Article: 3 |Pages: 18
ISSN: 1947-8518|EISSN: 1947-8526|DOI: 10.4018/jvple.2010091703
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MLA

Vallance, Michael, Stewart Martin, Charles Wiz and Paul van Schaik. "Designing Effective Spaces, Tasks and Metrics for Communication in Second Life Within the Context of Programming LEGO NXT Mindstorms™ Robots." IJVPLE 1.1 (2010): 20-37. Web. 1 Jan. 2019. doi:10.4018/jvple.2010091703

APA

Vallance, M., Martin, S., Wiz, C., & van Schaik, P. (2010). Designing Effective Spaces, Tasks and Metrics for Communication in Second Life Within the Context of Programming LEGO NXT Mindstorms™ Robots. International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments (IJVPLE), 1(1), 20-37. doi:10.4018/jvple.2010091703

Chicago

Vallance, Michael, Stewart Martin, Charles Wiz and Paul van Schaik. "Designing Effective Spaces, Tasks and Metrics for Communication in Second Life Within the Context of Programming LEGO NXT Mindstorms™ Robots," International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments (IJVPLE) 1 (2010): 1, accessed (January 01, 2019), doi:10.4018/jvple.2010091703

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Abstract

Science education is concerned with the meaningful pursuit of comprehension, knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts and processes. In Vygotskian social constructivist learning, personal interpretation, decision-making and community cooperation fosters long-term understanding and transference of learned concepts. The construction of knowledge requires learners to be actively involved in the process of learning. For effective science learning to take place an instructor’s pedagogical approach must be anchored in meaningful contexts so that students have actual opportunities to experience science. This paper presents the early stages of a research project that attempts to assess and define effective measurements for evaluating strategies for communicating science by using LEGO robots and Mindstorms™ RCX controllers that are collaboratively constructed and programmed by students using virtual technologies while physically situated in different locations.

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