Technology-Rich Environments: Search and Simulation Scenarios

The Problem Solving in Technology-Rich Environments (TRE) study focused on the assessment of problem solving in the field of physical science. Two extended scenarios for measuring problem solving with technology were created for TRE:

• Search, and
• Simulation.

The TRE Search scenario required students to locate and synthesize information about scientific helium balloons from a simulated World Wide Web environment. To learn more about the Search scenario, read a detailed description of the task. 

The TRE Simulation scenario required students to experiment to solve problems about relationships among buoyancy, mass, and volume. Students used the TRE simulation tool to set values for the mass carried by a scientific helium balloon and the amount of helium contained in the balloon and then were able to view animated displays of the results. See a description of the Simulation scenario. 

Both scenarios targeted grade 8 students assumed to have basic computer skills, basic exposure to scientific inquiry and to concepts of buoyancy and volume, and the ability to read scientifically oriented material at a sixth-grade level or higher. In both scenarios, a tutorial introduced students to the interface, and science and computer help tools were available throughout the assessment. 

Student performance on both scenarios was assessed by capturing and scoring student actions electronically as well as by human scoring of responses to open-ended motivating questions. To read more about the scoring, analysis, and results of the TRE study, see the report Problem Solving in Technology-Rich Environments. 

Go to the Technology-Rich Environments overview page.