Q: What is microworld?
A: A tiny world that students can learn all about that world as if it were a real world. Unlike a simulation where students know that it is fake and do not pretend other wise. Students that visit a microworld are encouraged to think and act as if it is truly a real world. They are to solve problems as if this world did exist. Weird, I would think that with all the real world problems that do exist - that students could find and try to solve those problems.
Cindy
I liked how you explained the difference between a microworld and a simulation. It makes sense to encourage students to think about solving "real" problems rather than hypothetical problems. After all one day these students are going to have work towards solving real problems in the world.
ReplyDeleteThe microworlds are pretty neat, it is just a little confusing when they say as "real world" because when I was checking some of them out they look just like simulations and plain power points...not really sure?
ReplyDeleteI agree that we should focus on the problems that our world faces today, but the problems that are the focus of the microworlds may become problems of the future, so I guess we also need to focus on preparing students for potential future problems.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea about the students thinking about and trying to solve problems that actually do exist.
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