TELS Research Themes
TELS participants identified four research themes for exploring our overall research question: What impact do scientific simulations embedded in inquiry projects have on science learning? The design and investigation activities associated with these themes involve the collaboration of multiple universities, school districts, and research organizations.
| Research Theme | Design Activities | Investigation |
| Curriculum Design Designing and implementing inquiry projects with embedded, high quality simulations |
TELS curriculum design process Knowledge integration patterns |
Test knowledge integration inquiry projects in classrooms of every TELS teacher Investigate alternative designs for projects |
| Teacher Learning Designing and implementing programs for teachers |
TELS mentored professional development model TELS leadership model |
Test professional development in every TELS school Evaluate programs for TELS principals, superintendents, and school boards |
| Assessment Designing and interpreting assessments |
Knowledge integration items, rubrics and benchmark tests Knowledge integration embedded assessments |
Study student performance on knowledge integration benchmarks and learning on knowledge integration pre- and post-tests Examine impacts of projects using embedded assessments |
| TELS Technologies Designing and implementing open source information technology and building communities of designers |
WISE architecture TELS authoring system for simulations, inquiry projects, and communities Design Principles Database |
Test efficacy of software in educational design community Expand TELS partnerships to other projects involved in technology-enhanced learning |
