Education in Math, Science, and Technology

Faculty: Professors DiSessa, Pirolli, Ranney, and Schoenfeld.

Domain-specific Knowledge Structures: Prior theories of learning and development have attempted to formulate general accounts that do not depend on the subject matter. Unfortunately, they do not work very well when applied to specific domains because of the specific nature of the to-be-learned material. The EMST group, in close affiliation with the Graduate School of Education, is studying the importance of different kinds of knowledge structures and cognitive architectures in several scientific domains, including physics (diSessa and Ranney), computer programming and design problem solving (Pirolli), causal argument structures and graphical structures for programming (Ranney), and mathematical thinking and problem solving (Schoenfeld).

Applications to Learning Theories and Learning Environments: The ideas resulting from the basic-science program described above have been applied to software development and the design of learning environments such as intelligent, computer tutors for learning the language LISP (Pirolli and Ranney), software for exploring mathematical functions and graphs (Schoenfeld), and general-purpose computer languages to serve as flexible and adaptable "media" for student use (diSessa). Full-fledged courses of instruction have also been developed in mathematical problem solving at the college level (Schoenfeld) and physics and programming for upper elementary school students (diSessa).