Using ecology to enhance everyday reasoning: the case of interdependent and reciprocal causality

GEORGIOS AMPATZIDIS, MARIDA ERGAZAKI

Abstract

This paper reports on a case study performed in the 3rd cycle of a developmental research that concerns the design of a CSCL environment of ecology for university students. Our focus here is set on using this environment to help students develop ‘interdependent reciprocal thinking’ about everyday cause-and-effect relationships. To do this, we drew upon the function of feedback loops (a) in ecosystems, (b) in everyday life, and (c) per se, respectively through NetLogo-models, familiar examples, and experiential activity. Analyzing the 44 participants’ pre/post responses showed that a better understanding of how causality works in everyday contexts was finally reached.

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References

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.26220/rev.2788

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Re S M ICT E | ISSN: 1792-3999 (electronic), 1791-261X (print) | Laboratory of Didactics of Sciences, Mathematics and ICT, Department of Educational Sciences and Early Childhood Education - University of Patras.

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