Technology as a Tool: Applying an Instructional Model to Teach Middle School Students to Use Technology as a Mediator of Learning

摘要

The science education community has been challenged to develop curricula that offer science educators and students a variety of experiences that highlight the advances of technologies. Although many approaches have been suggested for using technologies in school, there has been little research on its use as a tool with middle school students. Students' use of data collection technologies transitioned from novelty to a tool capable of mediating understanding of scientific phenomena. A 9 week elective class, "Exploring Technologies," was developed using a three-phase model of scaffolding taught to seventh and eighth grade students (n = 23). The interactions of the students throughout each of the phases of instruction were recorded and analyzed through audiotape and videotape transcriptions. A socio-constructivist frame was used in interpreting the findings of the study. Analysis of students' interactions during the three phases of instruction indicated that the use of the scaffolding model for designing instruction allows for the effective infusion of technology into the curriculum.