Micro-Worlds (aka, qWorlds)
WHAT ARE MICRO-WORLDS?
Interesting you should ask. Although there is are 2 popular books called Microworlds (one is a collection of essays about Sci Fi, the other is about Microscopy) the most common meaning behind this word in education refers to a type of software which is controlled by users with a easy to use programming language called Logo.
It turns out that there is alot of similarity between the concepts of virtual reality technology, and microworlds (and some simulation software too, for that matter). The basic idea of a microworld is that you are simulating things that happen in the regular everyday world we live in, but on a smaller and more simple scale. The way that this is done, is that students (of all ages) and in some cases scientists too, can write programming code using Logo.
Reference Articles
- John Gough, "MicroWorlds as a Learning Environment: Years 5 - 7: Tools Versus Thinking", Symp. on Contemporary Approaches to Research in Mathematics, Science, Health and Environmental Education, Deakin University December 2-3, 1996. (a pdf file)
- Logo Computer Systems Inc., 1999, Logo Philosophy and Implementation. LCSI. What is Logo? And Who Needs It?
- Papert, Seymour (1980). Mindstorms.New York:Basic Books.
- Papert, Seymour (1993)."The Children's Machine: Rethinking School in the Age of the Computer. New York: Basic Books.
Reference Websites
Founded by Dr. Seymour Papert in 1981, LCSI is a leading publisher of award-winning, constructivist educational software for K-12 schools around the world.
- Berkley Lab Science Ed. Grades 9-12 (see also Info for Teachers)
Interactive tour of science experiments at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source. New articles are produced in collaboration with local high school students and teachers.
- MicroWorlds In Action: MicroWorlds Logo resources
Simple to challenging projects and lessons, FAQ, classroom integration