Integrating Computational and Modeling Technology Using Squeak e-Toys and Problem-Based Learning Pedagogy to Infuse Information Technology Skills Into the Core STEM Curriculum

The “Using Squeak to Infuse Information Technology (USeIT)” is a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded comprehensive research project in North Carolina. In partnership with local county schools, the USeIT project is designed to offer expanded Information Technology (IT) experiences to students and teachers by exploiting the Squeak Etoys media authoring tool as a simulation and modeling environment to infuse IT skills into the core STEM curriculum. The purpose of this paper presentation is to describe the USeIT project scope, components, conceptual framework and research questions related to each component, the methods and strategies used to collect data and the results of the first two years of the project implementation. Challenges and lessons learned will also be discussed.

Integrating Computational and Modeling Technology Using Squeak e-Toys and Problem-Based Learning Pedagogy to Infuse Information Technology Skills Into the Core STEM Curriculum Presentation