Research Questions

Right now, at this beginning point, we are facing more questions than answers. For you to be better able to comprehend what we are trying to accomplish, these are the questions we are looking at at this moment.

• Can open source become a new tool in designing interdisciplinary, situated based, real life projects that can integrate into the curriculum?

• Study the use of Self as a programming tool to encourage student’s thinking at higher levels.

• Will it promote higher level thinking skills, augment student learning?

• Model collaborative learning using technology in what it best lends itself? Adequate the activities to the medium?

Focus: pedagogical aspect – integrating technology into the curriculum.

Goals:

• Implement decentralized research method (work collaboratively).

• Analyze the efficiency and applicability of distance collaboration (different countries), both between teachers and students.

• Create an interdisciplinary project approach to curriculum development, creating a more relevant and efficient curriculum that uses multiple resources.

• Integrate emerging (open source) and high-end technology in the educational arena.

• Develop an online learning environment.

• Develop partnerships with Higher Education Institutions, Museums, Scientists, etc., to bridge the distance between them and K-12 environment.

• Develop strategies to give access to underprivileged students in Brazil.

Outcome: Curriculum integrating new technology in a new way (not merely adjusting it to the traditional uses). Online unit geared towards distance learning and online collaboration. Open ended and not content based. A tool that students can use to promote problem-solving skills, decision-making and research methodology.

Assessment: Measure student skills before and after. Qualitative analysis. Self-assessment through rubrics. If students reached a functional model of a colony.

Scalability of the unit – if it can be used in the classrooms, not just as an after school activity.

More questions we are thinking about:

• How can I measure success?

• In what ways is this innovative? 

• How can this prepare students with better real world skills?

• To what point does the medium influence and mold student thinking and learning?

• How can I encourage students to become independent learners?

• Seekers and analyzers of information?

• Action takers?

• How can I measure their capability to transfer knowledge to a new context?

We have already started doing research on which to base our approach. Here are some of our findings:

• 001 "The Pioneer Project: A Critical Look at the Use of Distance Collaboration, Virtual Learning Environment, and Use of Open Source in Education", by Cristiana Assumpcao - paper giving theoretical background and analysis.

• 002 "The Pioneer Project" PowerPoint Presentation - summarizes some of our main findings in research (works better with Microsoft browsers over the 4th generation)

Related Articles:

• 003 Gary Chapman's "Digital Nation" - Dec 20, 1999.

• 004 Brazilian's Government Law project on open-source software use by the population. (in portuguese)
  Taken from http://www.conectiva.com.br/jornal/noticias/not337.html

• 005 "Breaking the Language Barrier" from the Eletronic School - Jan 2000
  Taken from http://www.electronic-school.com/2000/01/0100f3.html

• 006 "Thinking about the Future, Part I" from the Eletronic School - Jan 2000
  Taken from http://www.electronic-school.com/2000/01/0100f1part1.html

• 007 Women in Computer Science

Some of these articles were re-formatted to match the design of the Mars Millenium Project's Website, but the contents are copyrighted by their owners.