STEM Learning: Foundations

The first joint project undertaken by the Computers and Learning Research Group was the evaluation of the Open University Science Faculty’s CAL offering in 1979. Since then many CALRG activities such as PhD projects, major external research grants, and institutional contributions, have been directed towards a better understanding of what makes science teaching and learning better. In this chapter we will consider our work on conceptual change in science and on the development of pedagogy and technology on personal inquiry using nQuire, and include work integrating these developments into the Open Science Laboratory. Our work has included evaluation of other innovative pedagogical supports such as the PuckLand simulation for teaching Physics, Virtual Field Trips and the use of the Virtual Microscope both in the UK and a number of other UK and EU universities. We illustrate how judicious use of technology and pedagogy can promote enthusiastic engagement with science and give opportunities for participation and learning.