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The Research Behind Alien Rescue
Research is an integral part of the Alien Rescue development and is an ongoing effort by the development team. Here are some of the research papers completed so far. This list is growing as we continue conducting studies with Alien Rescue.
The design of Alien Rescue is informed by research on problem-based learning (PBL), an innovative instructional approach in which learning occurs as a result of students' efforts to solve a complex problem. Instruction begins with the presentation of a problem situation. Students work in teams to identify problem constraints, form hypotheses, collect and analyze data, and develop a solution plan.
To assist students in their problem solving process, Alien Rescue provides a rich variety of cognitive tools, including a database of information on our solar system, a database on the alien characteristics, a database on probe missions carried out by NASA, a probe design tool, mission status tool, a notebook, tutorials on various scientific concepts. With all these cognitive tools at their fingertips, students can concentrate on solving the problem and teachers can make best use of their time to facilitate the learning process. The roles of students and teachers are therefore shifted. Students become active seekers of knowledge, while the teacher becomes the "guide on the side," helping students find the information and learn the skills they need to solve the problem.
