E-Learning Quality: The Concord Model for Learning from a Distance

Robert Tinker

NASSP Bulletin Vol. 85, No. 628 (2001) pp. 36–46

Describes eight characteristics of the Concord model of online course instruction: Asynchronous collaboration, limited enrollment, expert facilities, trust, clear schedules, excellent materials, good pedagogy, and quality assurance. Discusses cost...

Future Technologies for Special Learners

Robert Tinker

Journal of Special Education Technology Vol. 16, No. 4 (2001) pp. 31–37

This article looks at ways technologies are likely to change education as a whole and then discusses what implications this has for students with disabilities. Five applications to watch are identified and include enhanced literacy education,...

Free Model-Based Learning Resources

Robert Tinker

Journal of Educational Technology Vol. 1, No. 4 (2005) pp. 20–22

Robert Tinker, President of The Concord Consortium, announces that through a series of grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the US Department of Education, the Concord Consortium has been able to produce amazing and innovative...

Open Source Technology for Teaching Modeling in Science Education

Paul Horwitz; Robert Tinker

World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2004 (2004) pp. 1817–1822

The Concord Consortium has developed a powerful technological infrastructure that supports the rapid development and deployment of learning activities that monitor and scaffold students' interactions with manipulable models in biology, chemistry,...

Topics: Educational Technology, Students

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Chemical Reactions for Use in Education

Qian Xie; Robert Tinker

Journal of Chemical Education Vol. 83, No. 1 (January 2006)

One of the simulation engines of an open-source program called the Molecular Workbench, which can simulate thermodynamics of chemical reactions, is described. This type of real-time, interactive simulation and visualization of chemical reactions at...

Netcourses and Netseminars: Current Practice and New Designs

Robert Tinker; Sarah Haavind

Journal of Science Education and Technology Vol. 5, No. 3 (1996) pp. 217–23

Reviews all netcourses for teachers in mathematics and science, highlights the advantages of netcourses, and discusses the differences between conventional and network-based courses. Uses this analysis to predict the early emergence of netcourses...

Electronics in Science Teaching

Robert F. Tinker

Science Teacher Vol. 46, No. 6 (September 1979) pp. 26–32

The revolution in electronics is discussed as it applies to instructional potential in the school science laboratory. Electronic instruction (instrumentation) is included. (SA)

CILT2000: Ubiquitous Computing--Spanning the Digital Divide

Robert Tinker; Philip Vahey

Journal of Science Education and Technology Vol. 11, No. 3 (2002) pp. 301–4

Discusses the role of ubiquitous and handheld computers in education. Summarizes the contributions of the Center for Innovative Learning Technologies (CILT) and describes the ubiquitous computing sessions at the CILT2000 Conference. (Author/YDS)

The World's the Limit in the Virtual High School

Sheldon Berman; Robert Tinker

Educational Leadership Vol. 55, No. 3 (1997) pp. 52–54

Assisted by a U.S. Department of Education Technology Innovation Challenge Grant, the Hudson (Massachusetts) Public Schools, the Concord Consortium Educational Technology Lab, and 30 collaborating high schools across the nation have developed a...

Modeling and MBL: Software Tools for Science

Robert F. Tinker

Recent technological advances and new software packages put unprecedented power for experimenting and theory-building in the hands of students at all levels. Microcomputer-based laboratory (MBL) and model-solving tools illustrate the educational...

Mapware: Educational Applications of Geographic Information Systems

Robert F. Tinker

Journal of Science Education and Technology Vol. 1, No. 1 (1992) pp. 35–48

Analyzes the applicability to mathematics and science education of geographic information systems. Gives examples of possible applications involving aerosol detection in the atmosphere, verification of satellite images, and the Kidnet Project....

Student Scientist Partnerships: Shrewd Maneuvers

Robert F. Tinker

Journal of Science Education and Technology Vol. 6, No. 2 (1997) pp. 111–17

Explores student-scientist partnerships (SSPs) that help students gain a unique understanding of both the content and the process of science. Discusses the potential of SSPs, the range of SSP activities, a strategy for national impact, the...

Reasoning with Atomic-Scale Molecular Dynamic Models

Amy Pallant; Robert F. Tinker

Journal of Science Education and Technology Vol. 13, No. 1 (March 2004) pp. 51–66

The studies reported in this paper are an initial effort to explore the applicability of computational models in introductory science learning. Two instructional interventions are described that use a molecular dynamics model embedded in a set of...

Probeware and Handhelds in Elementary and Middle School Science

Shari J. Metcalf; Robert F. Tinker

Journal of Science Education and Technology Vol. 13, No. 1 (March 2004) pp. 43–49

This paper reports a test on the feasibility and educational value of probeware and associated instructional materials in middle school science education. We addressed feasibility through consideration of costs, teacher professional development, and ...

The Impact of Microcomputer-Based Labs on Children's Ability to Interpret Graphs

Janice R. Mokros; Robert F. Tinker

Journal of Research in Science Teaching Vol. 24, No. 4 (1987) pp. 369–83

Reports the results of an in-depth examination of middle school children's graphing skills and misconceptions. Also discusses a study in which students learned graphing skills through microcomputer-based laboratory (MBL). (ML)

Issues in Applying Universal Design Standards to Online Courses

Raymond Rose; Joanna Lu; Robert Tinker; Zahrl Schoeny

Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2005 (2005) pp. 585–586

Concord Consortium's Seeing Math Project, in conjunction with PBS TeacherLine have developed an outstanding online professional development program that integrates video and interactive Java software, with online discussion and reflective activities ...

Topics: Professional Development, Interaction, Teachers

Measuring Graph Comprehension, Critique, and Construction in Science

Kevin Lai; Julio Cabrera; Jonathan M. Vitale; Jacquie Madhok; Robert Tinker; Marcia C. Linn

Journal of Science Education and Technology Vol. 25, No. 4 (2016) pp. 665–681

Interpreting and creating graphs plays a critical role in scientific practice. The K-12 Next Generation Science Standards call for students to use graphs for scientific modeling, reasoning, and communication. To measure progress on this dimension,...

Learning Science in Grades 3-8 Using Probeware and Computers: Findings from the TEEMSS II Project

Andrew A. Zucker; Robert Tinker; Carolyn Staudt; Amie Mansfield; Shari Metcalf

Journal of Science Education and Technology Vol. 17, No. 1 (February 2008) pp. 42–48

The Technology Enhanced Elementary and Middle School Science II project (TEEMSS), funded by the National Science Foundation, produced 15 inquiry-based instructional science units for teaching in grades 3-8. Each unit uses computers and probeware to...

Model-Based Teaching and Learning with BioLogica[TM]: What Do They Learn? How Do They Learn? How Do We Know?

Barbara C. Buckley; Janice D. Gobert; Ann C. H. Kindfield; Paul Horwitz; Robert F. Tinker; Bobbi Gerlits; Uri Wilensky; Chris Dede; John Willett

Journal of Science Education and Technology Vol. 13, No. 1 (March 2004) pp. 23–41

This paper describes part of a project called Modeling Across the Curriculum which is a large-scale research study in 15 schools across the United States. The specific data presented and discussed here in this paper is based on BioLogica, a...