Modeling Instruction - Legacy Site

This page serves as a portal to the original Modeling Instruction Program website at Arizona State University. At this site one can find information about Modeling Instruction and resources available to educators from its inception in 1995 through July 2012. This site will no longer be updated except for ASU-specific information; e.g., ASU's summer graduate program for teachers and research & evaluation.

The new Modeling Instruction site hosted by the American Modeling Teachers Association is easier to navigate and provides updated information and resources.

History Partners Annual Report Founders and directors Ways to Volunteer or Donate

Modeling Instruction in High School Physics, Chemistry, Physical Science, and Biology

Modeling Instruction in Physics was designated in 2000 by the U.S. Department of Education as one of the seven best K-12 educational technology programs out of 134 programs evaluated.

Modeling Instruction in Physics was designated in 2001 by the U.S. Department of Education as one of two exemplary programs in K-12 Science Education out of 27 programs evaluated.

Modeling Instruction is Effective (data: 1 page)
NSF report: Findings of the Modeling Workshop Project: 1994-2000. pdf
NSF report: Findings of the ASU Summer Graduate Program for Physics Teachers (2002-2006) pdf

Opportunities for Professional Growth

The National Science Education Standards (NRC, 1996) emphasize that "coherent and integrated programs" supporting "lifelong professional development" of science teachers are essential for significant reform. "The conventional view of professional development for teachers needs to shift from technical training for specific skills to opportunities for intellectual professional growth."
The Glenn Commission report Before It's Too Late states:

"We are of one mind in our belief that the way to interest children in mathematics and science is through teachers who are not only enthusiastic about their subjects, but who are also steeped in their disciplines and who have the professional training—as teachers—to teach those subjects well. Nor is this teacher training simply a matter of preparation; it depends just as much—or even more—on sustained, high-quality professional development."

The following programs are designed to meet this need:

ASU Summer Graduate Program for Teachers of the Physical Sciences
Professional development courses and Modeling Workshops for teachers of high school physics and chemistry and junior high physical science. Course list for summer 2013 (updated Jan. 21, 2013)

Modeling Instruction Workshops Nationwide for Summer 2013
(updated Dec. 12, 2012) Visit the American Modeling Teachers Association (AMTA) website for information about Modeling Instruction workshops nationwide. The link to the Workshops 2013 page can be found under the Teachers tab.

For historical purposes and for continuity, here is the link to the 50 Modeling Workshops nationwide in summer 2012.

Remodeling University Physics

NSF-supported research to reform introductory physics at the university/college level. (updated Dec. 2007)
Peer leaders: Dwain Desbien, Eric Brewe, Michael Politano

Modeling-friendly short workshops for two-year college and high school teachers that are NSF-funded in 2011 to 2014.

 

Research & Evaluation

Research findings, publications and evaluation instruments [Force Concept Inventory (FCI), Mechanics Baseline Test (MBT), Views About Science Survey (VASS), RTOP Self-Assessment, links to research-based concept inventories in sciences]. Dissertations; evaluations of Modeling Instruction and other programs in physics. Two taxonomies of student conceptions about force and motion.

Cognitive Instruction in Mathematical Modeling

The CIMM program is transforming mathematics education to include conceptual understanding (grouping structure), symbol construction (algorithmic manipulations), problem solving and mathematical reasoning. (updated May 2011)

Professional Development, Community, Policy and Vision

Remodeling Science Education, by David Hestenes (Invited talk in Taiwan, 2011)

Modeling Instruction for STEM Education Reform, a major proposal by David Hestenes (2009)
A Critical Role for Physics Departments in K-12 Science Reform, by David Hestenes and Jane Jackson (2004, 160kb)
Activities and Significance
of the Modeling Workshop Project (1994-2000), by David Hestenes. David Hestenes' vision for high school physics is reflected in the activities, contributions, and significance expressed in the 10-page document submitted to the NSF.

University - School partnerships - for sustained science education reform.
  Documents for persons who want to seek funding and organize a Modeling Workshop
National Center for Physics Education
   A proposal to stimulate action by the physics community, submitted by David Hestenes to the AAPT.
Local Physics Alliances - Learning communities of physics teachers.
AzAAPT - Follow this link to learn about activities of the Arizona Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers. (Updated in 2012.)

This page, last updated on Jan. 21, 2013, is maintained by Jane Jackson, mostly for ASU-specific information.


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