The OUASSA project

1. Centre for Distance Education & Learning Technologies, University of Otago The OUASSA project • 50+ Year 13 students from rural or low decile schools • A one-week residential school in Jan & July at the University of Otago to engage in science projects • A virtual school using the knowledge building approach and Knowledge Forum to build knowledge • A community of learners

3. Centre for Distance Education & Learning Technologies, University of Otago

4. Centre for Distance Education & Learning Technologies, University of Otago

5. An example of Knowledge Building from the Physics of Climate Change View The example shows that ideas are improvable. It’s quite OK to advance incompletely formed ideas or ‘half-baked’ notions. So long as they are improved on. Note 1 Note 3 Note 2 This example also shows idea diversity. Ideas are improved through comparison, combination, and alignment with other ideas.

6. Note 1: Good examples of scaffolding, and use of referencing another note Student A

7. Note 2: A response from student B Student B

8. Note 2: A response from student B Student B Student A

9. Student A Student B’s

10. The Knowledge Building Process Building-on a question: Student K asked a question: “Are there any New Zealand examples of species that are non-native or alien not becoming an invasive species?” Student P built-on Student K’s question and refined it: “Building on this [question]…Maybe we need to investigate into which non-natives that have been classified as ‘invasive’ can be actually used for good…”

11. The Knowledge Building Process Building-on a theory: “…These invasive species have a direct impact on the native species…But they also have an indirect impact on other organisms associated with the native species. I guess it’s like a chain reaction…” (student E) Then Student F built-on this: “Building on that theory: If we do, as the previous note said, take up the theory that one of the reasons possums are so successful in New Zealand is due to their high birth rate. We can certainly then say that this creates a chain reaction…”

12. The Knowledge Building Process Building-on a theory: “I think it is both good to think as a mathematician and an engineer, thinking like a mathematician, being precise and logical and then to think as an engineer in viewing all different possibilities and options…” (Student C, Note #16) “Although I consider the thinking of the mathematician the most accurate, the application of solution to real life problems…means that the most accurate answer isn’t always the most practical. This is why I also think that a combination of different methods of thinking are good” (Student D, Note #17).

13. The Knowledge Building Process Critiquing and building-on a theory: “I think that the engineer counts 9 as a prime number because in his field, he approximates numbers rather than using exact measurements”  (Student G, Note #10) “If he approximates his numbers, how does he ensures that his buildings doesn’t [sic] fall to pieces?...” “...engineers take on the views of the mathematician and the physicist and chooses what he wants to believe…he applies the reasoning of maths and physics to real life situations, he does not actually make theories of his own…” (Student H, Note #11)

14. Knowledge Building Building Knowledge: “Most of the topics we have discussed have mostly referenced previous studies, which is fine, but if we are to progress BEYOND what we already know, we must postulate and form theories. This has already begun to happen, even at our young age”. “…Every post that anyone writes is replied to with a theory, an answer, and then MORE questions…”

15. How do you contribute to knowledge building? Produce a good synthesis note: • What is the most important idea you have learned in this community? • What is the most important idea/theory/resource you have contributed? • What is the most important idea developed in this Knowledge Building community? Why? • What is the most important note (post) that has influenced the development of your personal knowledge and/or communal knowledge? Give three reasons.