learning problem | learning solution | theoretical support | benefits

Learning Problems

1. Students who learn science in a lab do not learn to connect their classroom learning to the real world.
2. Students are not motivated to continue learning science outside the classroom.

Symptoms of the Learning Problems

• "U.S. students, in general, show a drop in international rankings in math and science between the fourth and eight grades... this is not a middle school problem and it is not a slump, but indicative of a system-wide low level of achievement," -Dr. Gerald K LeTendre
  
• Standard science curriculum does not adhere to design principles learning theorists suggest

Why do students still fail to connect science to the real world and lack science motivation?

• Failure to Implement a Rigid Nationwide Curriculum: "We (the United States) like having 16,000 individual school districts and allowing parents to have input into what their children learn,"-Dr. David P. Baker. Singapore, ranked 1st in math and science, have a very strict curriculum.

• Static Curriculum: Since science has been taught in the same static manner for many years, school curriculums are set. JASON Project Online and other educational products are adding new opportunities for the quality of science education but districts are slow to adopt them.

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Learning Solution

Kids get to be their own scientists!!

"By taking advantage of cutting edge communications technology and bringing science to life, the JASON Project is helping to revolutionize the way science is taught. That is good news not only for our students, but for our country."

-Dr. Robert D. Ballard (principle investigator of JASON Project)

Specific features that support JASON Online's overall learning goals

Building Background Knowledge:

1. Digital Labs - gives students background knowledge
2. Videos - give students background knowledge

Connecting Students with Real Science:

1. Interviews with Scientists
2. Live Chats with researchers
3. Photos, Web Cams, Movies, and 3-d Cameras

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Theoretical Support

Rogoff- Be aware of Individual, The Other, and Socio-cultural Context

Lepper and Malone- Control, Curiosity, Challenge, and Fantasy

Kozma- Relevance of learning with media

Bellamy- Collaboration, Construction, and Authentic Activities

Langer and Brown - Impossible to Fail

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• The JASON Team's claim is that through linking students with authentic scientists, they will become more engaged and excited about science, and therefore improve learning.
• Immersion in curriculum activities
  Science, Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Technology

• Teachers say JASON Project helped "enrich... curriculum" and "actively involve(d) students"
• Students like JASON because "curiosity is vital"
• Research Indicates that JASON Project:
  1. increased learners' interests in science
  2. made science more approachable

Learners know that they are learning from JASON Online

• as students complete Digital Labs activities they may notice that they understand more and more
• movies that pose questions which the students can answer at the end offer instant feedback on whether the student learned or not

• students appear more interested in science exploration
• students approach scientific subjects with new terminology and with a scientific approach

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