Using the Net to Foster
A Critical Eye in Science Class

by Elizabeth Davis and Philip Bell

Under the direction of Marcia Linn, professor of education and director of the Instructional Technology Program, the project participants are currently researching and developing Internet-oriented science activities and technological tools for middle school students. Eventually the project will expand to include students at other grade levels.

KIE provides tools to allow students to use the Internet for activities centered around seeking and understanding scientific evidence. The project helps students build on their own ideas. Using the KIE software, students actively explore scientific ideas through a structure that encourages them to make their own discoveries, even as it guides and supports their efforts.

For example, students may construct answers to complex scientific questions such as, "How far does light go?" In doing so, they will draw evidence from the Internet and develop their own evidence, as well. Thus, the students will participate in activities similar to those of scientists investigating the same kinds of problems.

In particular, since students often have difficulty identifying and interpreting evidence that supports or contradicts their personal ideas, the KIE software will help them make those distinctions and refine their scientific beliefs.

The KIE software is comprised of the following components:

* World-Wide Web Browser--provides an appropriate graphical

interface for the Internet.

* Evidence Databases--collections of scientific evidence both created by


students and found on the Internet. The databases are organized

bytopic and activity.

* Discussion Tool--allows students to conduct structured, on-line


conversations about their scientific ideas.

* Student Notebook--allows student teams to organize, analyze,


and write up evidence.

* On-Line Guidance--provides supporting prompts and feedback


as students work on activities.

* Project Planner--allows teachers to design and orchestrate


Internet-oriented activities.

* Student Profiler--identifies and customizes projects for individual


students, based on their particular proficiences and interests.

The KIE group is also identifying liaisons at universities, laboratories, and research institutions across the country. These scientists will help to expand KIE's evidence databases by providing examples of their scientific research that can be understood by elementary and secondary students. In addition, the project seeks schools that could use the software tools in conjunction with the Internet.

For more information about the KIE project, contact:

• Elizabeth Davis, betsyd@garnet.berkeley.edu, or
  
• Philip Bell, pbell@violet.berkeley.edu.

Elizabeth Davis and Philip Bell are graduate students in the Education in Mathematics, Science, and Technology Division. They are currently working on the development of software and curriculum for the Knowledge Integration Environment project.