Module 3.12

Guidelines for the design of Technology-Enhanced
Science Education Learning Activities

Contract Number: 410025

COSMOS: An Advanced Scientific Repository for Science
Teaching and Learning

Guidelines for the design of Technology-
Enhanced Science Education Learning Activities

eContentplus

This project is funded under the eContentplus programme1,
a multiannual Community programme to make digital content in Europe more accessible,
usable and exploitable.

1 OJ L 79, 24.3.2005, p. 1.


Editors

ELLINOGERMANIKI AGOGI
Dr. Sofoklis Sotiriou

C.E.R.T.H.
Demetrios G. Sampson Associate Professor, Dept Digital Systems, University of Piraeus, Greece
Director, ASK@ITI.CERTH
Panayiotis Zervas, MSc

The COSMOS ASK Learning Objects Metadata Authoring Toolkit (COSMOS ASK LOM-AT) is owned by the
Advanced e-Services for the Knowledge Society Research Unit of the Informatics and Telematics Institute at
the Centre of Research and Technology Hellas and it was customized to support the process of characterizing
the science education resources and science education learning activities of the COSMOS Portal. COSMOS
ASK-LOM-AT was not developed within the framework of the COSMOS Project (Contract Number: ECP-2006-
EDU-410025), but it was selected as the most appropriate available toolkit for meeting the project’s needs.
ASK@ITI.CERTH reserves all right on COSMOS ASK Learning Objects Metadata Authoring Toolkit and
its use beyond the COSMOS activites.

The COSMOS ASK Learning Design Toolkit (COSMOS ASK LDT) is owned by the Advanced e-Services for
the Knowledge Society Research Unit of the Informatics and Telematics Institute at the Centre of Research
and Technology Hellas and it was customized to support the process of designing the science education
learning activities of the COSMOS Portal. COSMOS ASK-LDT was not developed within the framework of the
COSMOS Project (Contract Number: ECP-2006-EDU-410025), but it was selected as the most appropriate
available toolkit for meeting the project’s needs. ASK@ITI.CERTH reserves all right on COSMOS ASK
Learning Design Toolkit and its use beyond the COSMOS activites.


Contents

1 Guidelines for Designing Science Educational Scenarios ......................... 7
1.1 COSMOS Learning Activities Authoring Tool (COSMOS ASK-LDT) ....................7
1.1.1 General Description .................................................................................................. 7
1.1.2 Main Functionalities .................................................................................................. 9
1.2 COSMOS ASK-LDT Authoring Process .............................................................10
1.2.1 Create New Educational Scenario based on a Pre-defined Template .....................11
1.2.2 Assign Resources to the Educational Scenario Learning Activities ........................ 14
1.2.3 Open an Educational Scenario ............................................................................... 18
1.2.4 Import an Educational Scenario .............................................................................. 19
1.2.5 Package Resources of the Educational Scenario ................................................... 23
1.2.6 Executing an Educational Scenario with external tools .......................................... 24
2 Indicative Examples for Designing Science Educational Scenarios ........ 26
2.1 Designing Educational Scenarios based on “Guided Research Model”
Template.............................................................................................................26
2.2 Designing Educational Scenarios based on “Inquiry-based Teaching”
Template............................................................................................................ 31
2.3 Designing Educational Scenarios based on “Project-based Learning”
Template.............................................................................................................36
2.4 Designing Educational Scenarios based on “The 5E Instructional Model”
Template.............................................................................................................41
2.5 Designing Educational Scenarios based on “The Learning Cycle
(Supporting Conceptual Change)” Template ......................................................46


List of Figures
Figure 1-1: Starting Up the Installation Process .............................................................................7
Figure 1-2: Installing the Application (COSMOS ASK-LDT) ...........................................................8
Figure 1-3: Select to run the program through the menu “Start” “All Programs”
“COSMOS Tools” “COSMOS ASK-LDT” ................................................................8
Figure 1-4: COSMOS ASK-LDT “About” Page ...............................................................................9
Figure 1-7: Give the “Title” of the Educational Scenario ............................................................... 11
Figure 1-6: Select “New Educational Scenario”............................................................................ 11
Figure 1-8: Select the Educational Scenario Template that the Educational Scenario
is based on ................................................................................................................. 12
Figure 1-9: Provide a “Time Limit” for the activity and press “Package Resources” button.......... 13
Figure 1-10: Populating the Scenario Learning Activities with Educational Content ...................... 14
Figure 1-11: Create a folder associated with a learning activity .....................................................15
Figure 1 12: Populate the folder with content .................................................................................16
Figure 1-13: Populating the Scenario Environments with Educational Content ............................. 17
Figure 1-14: Select “Open Educational Scenario” ..........................................................................18
Figure 1-15: Select the Educational Scenario you want to open ....................................................19
Figure 1-16: Select the educational scenario to be transfered .......................................................20
Figure 1-19: Educational scenario imported successfully ..............................................................22
Figure 1-21: Successful creation of the IMS Learning Design package ......................................... 24
Figure 1-22: Previewing an Educational Scenario using the “Reload Learning Design Player” ..... 25
Figure 2-1: Select “New Educational Scenario .............................................................................26
Figure 2-2: Give the “Title” of the Educational Scenario ...............................................................27
Figure 2-3: Select the “Guided Research Model” Educational Scenario Template ...................... 28
Figure 2-4: Populating the “Circular Motion” Scenario Learning Activities and Environments
with Educational Content ........................................................................................... 29
Figure 2-5: The educational scenario entitled “Circular Motion” based on the “Guided
Research Model” template ........................................................................................ 30
Figure 2-6: Select “New Educational Scenario”............................................................................31


Figure 2-8: Select the “Guided Research Model” Educational Scenario Template ...................... 33
Figure 2-10: The educational scenario entitled “Cosmic Collisions” based on the “Inquiry-
based Teaching” template .......................................................................................... 35
Figure 2-13: Select the “Project-based Learning” Educational Scenario Template ........................ 38
Figure 2-14: Populating the “Extrasolar Planets” Scenario Learning Activities and Environments
with Educational Content ........................................................................................... 39
Figure 2-15: The educational scenario entitled “Extrasolar Planets” based on the “Project-
based Learning” template .......................................................................................... 40
Figure 2-20: The educational scenario entitled “Our Solar System” based on the “The 5E
Instructional Model” template ..................................................................................... 45
Figure 2-24: Populating the “The Parallax Method” Scenario Learning Activities and
Environments with Educational Content ....................................................................49


1 Guidelines for Designing Science Educational Scenarios

In this Chapter, we present the functionalities of the COSMOS Authoring Engine for Learning Activities
(COSMOS ASK-LDT) and provide a detailed description on how to use the COSMOS ASK-LDT in
order to produce educational scenarios in the form of packages conformant to the IMS Learning
Design specification.

1.1 COSMOS Learning Activities Authoring Tool (COSMOS ASK-LDT)

1.1.1 General Description
The COSMOS Learning Activities Authoring Tool (COSMOS ASK-LDT) is a tool, based on
Learning Technology specifications and more precisely on IMS Learning Design (Level A) and IMS
Content Packaging2. The COSMOS ASK-LDT is used in order to design Educational Scenarios
based on Pre-defined Educational Scenarios Templates and generate packages conformant to the
IMS Learning Design specification.

In order to start the COSMOS ASK-LDT you have to run the file named COSMOS ASK-LDT.msi.
A window will appear asking you to proceed with the installation process. You have to follow all the
steps of the process by pressing the “Yes” button. After the finalization of the installation the following
message will appear: “The Installation completed successfully”. (See Figure 1-1, Figure 1-2 and
Figure 1-3).

Figure 1-1: Starting Up the
Installation Process

2 http://www.imsglobal.org/content/packaging/index.html

7


Figure 1-2: Installing the
Application (COSMOS ASK-LDT)

Figure 1-3: Select to run the
program through the menu
“Start” “All Programs”
“COSMOS Tools”
“COSMOS ASK-LDT”

8


Provided that the installation process completed successfully the first screen of the COSMOS ASK-
LDT will appear (see Figure 1-4).

Figure 1-4: COSMOS
ASK-LDT “About” Page

1.1.2 Main Functionalities
The main functionalities of COSMOS ASK-LDT include:
 Creation of a new educational scenario: The user can create a new educational scenario
based on a pre-defined Educational Scenario Template namely, the “Guided Research Model”,
“Inquiry-based Teaching”, “Project-based Learning”, “The 5E Instructional Model”, “The
Learning Cycle (Supporting Conceptual Change)” and “ICT supported Culture Awareness
Learning (ICCAL)”.
 Definition of resources for the learning activities: The user can add resources (html
pages, images, videos etc.) for the learning activities of the educational scenario or change
the existing ones.
 Generation of IMS LD Content Packages: The user can save an Educational Scenario as
a Content Package (zip format) conformant with the IMS LD specification.

9


1.2 COSMOS ASK-LDT Authoring Process

In this section the use of the COSMOS ASK-LDT in creating an educational scenario based on a
pre-defined educational scenario template is presented using a step-by-step procedure.

1. create New 4. Package Resources
Educational scenario of the Educational
scenario

2. Assign Resources
3. Open Educational
to Learning Activities
Scenario
of the Educational
Scenario

Figure 1-5: COSMOS ASK-LDT Authoring Process

Figure 1-5 depicts the Educational Scenario authoring process with the use of COSMOS ASK-LDT.
This process consists of four (4) basic steps:
 Step 1 – Create New Educational Scenario: during this step the user selects a pre-defined
educational scenario template in order to create a new educational scenario based on this
template.
 Step 2 – Assign Resources to Learning Activities of the Educational Scenario: after
the finalization of Step 1 the user can assign resources to the learning activities of the new
educational scenario.
 Step 3 – Open Educational Scenario (Optional): the user can open the educational scenario
that is stored in the local repository of the COSMOS ASK-LDT.
 Step 4 – Package Resources of the Educational Scenario: in this step the user is creating
a package conformant with the IMS LD specification.

10


1.2.1 Create New Educational Scenario based on a Pre-defined Template

1. From the File Menu Bar choose “New Educational Scenario” (see Figure 1-6).

1

Figure 1-6: Select “New
Educational Scenario”

2. Give a “Title” to the educational scenario (see Figure 1-7).
a. Give the “Title” of the educational scenario
b. Press “Create” button

Figure 1-7: Give the “Title” of
the Educational Scenario

2a

2b

11


3. Select a “Generic Educational Scenario Template” for your Educational Scenario
(see Figure 1 8).
a. Select the Generic Educational Scenario Template that your educational scenario will be
based on, from the list of the available templates
b. Press “Create Educational Scenario” button
3a

Figure 1-8: Select the
Educational Scenario
Template that the
is based on

3b

For each activity of the educational scenario created repeat the following steps (optional)
(see Figure 1-9):

12


4

Figure 1-9: Provide a
“Time Limit” for the activity
and press “Package
Resources” button

5 6 7

4. Select the Educational Scenario tab sheet
5. Select the Complete tab sheet and define when the activity ends (time limit)
6. Press “Save Scenario” button
7. Press the “Package Resources” button

13


1.2.2 Assign Resources to the Educational Scenario Learning Activities

1.2.2.1 Populating the Scenario Activities with Educational Content

For all the activities of the educational scenario, repeat the following steps (see Figure 1-10):

2
1
Figure 1-10: Populating the
Scenario Learning Activities with
Educational Content

3

1. Select an “Activity” from the list of available learning activities.
2. Open a file manager and use the Drag n’ Drop function to associate the desired educational
resources with the selected activity.
3. From the list of associated resources, select the “Primary Resource” of the selected activity.

14


In case a user wants to associate a folder containing certain files with a learning activity, i.e. a folder
containing the images of an html page, you have to follow the steps below:
1. Select “Create new Folder”
2. Provide a name for this folder
3. Press “Create” button
4.Open a file manager and use the Drag n’ Drop function to associate the desired educational
resources with this folder.

Figure 1-11: Create a folder
1 associated with a learning activity

2

3

15


Figure 1 12: Populate the
folder with content
4

16


1.2.2.2 Populating the Scenario Environments with Educational Content

For all the available environments of the educational scenario, repeat the following steps
(see Figure 1-13):

1. Select a “Tool/Service” from the list of available environment tools/services.
resources with the selected Tool/Service.
3. From the list of associated resources, select the “Primary Resource” of the selected Tool/
Service.

Figure 1-13: Populating the
Scenario Environments with
Educational Content

1

2

3

17


1.2.3 Open an Educational Scenario

The Educational Scenarios that a user has created with the use of COSMOS ASK-LDT are stored in
a local repository. A user can open an existing Educational Scenario following the steps below:

1. From the File Menu Bar choose “Open Educational Scenario” (see Figure 1-14).
2. Select the Educational Scenario you want to open from the list of the available educational
scenarios (see Figure 1-15).
3. Press “Open Educational Scenario” button

Figure 1-14: Select “Open
1 Educational Scenario”

18


Figure 1-15: Select the Educational
Scenario you want to open

2

3

1.2.4 Import an Educational Scenario

The ‘Import Educational Scenario’ feature allows the importing of an educational scenario in the
local repository of the COSMOS ASK-LDT. This feature, is not part of the Educational Scenario
authoring process, however, it is useful when a user wants to transfer an educational scenario from
the COSMOS ASK-LDT installed in one PC to the COSMOS ASK-LDT installed in another PC.

19


1. The user can select from the location “C:Program FilesCOSMOS ToolsCOSMOS ASK-LDT
Projects” the desired educational scenario that is represented as a *.uol file (see Figure 1-16).

Figure 1-16: Select the educational
scenario to be transfered

1

2. From the File Menu Bar choose “Import Educational Scenario” (see Figure 1-17).
3. Select the Educational Scenario you want to import (see Figure 1-18).
4. Press the “Open” Button (see Figure 1-18).

20


2
Figure 1-17:
Select “Import
Educational
Scenario”

Figure 1-18:
Select the
Educational
Scenario to be
imported

4
3

21


Figure 1-19:
Educational scenario
imported successfully

5

5. Provided that the Educational Scenario import process completed successfully, the following
message will appear: “The Scenario imported successfully!!” (see Figure 1-19).

22


1.2.5 Package Resources of the Educational Scenario
After populating the entire set of scenario learning activities and environments with educational
resources (see 1.2.2.1 and 1.2.2.2), then an IMS Learning Design package can be produced following
the steps below:

1. Press the “Create Content Package” button.
2. Enter the zip file name where the package will be saved.
3. Save the IMS Learning Design package in the desired folder.

Figure 1-20: Generating
IMS Learning Design
Packages

2

3
1

23


Figure 1-21: Successful creation of
the IMS Learning Design package

4

4. Provided that the Content Package creation process completed successfully, the following
message will appear: “Content Package created successfully !” (see Figure 1-21).

1.2.6 Executing an Educational Scenario with external tools
The developed scenario (see section 1.2.5) can be executed using external runtime tools conformant
with the IMS Learning Design specification. The Reload Learning Design Player3 is an example of
such a run-time tool.

3 http://www.reload.ac.uk

24


In order to execute a scenario that has been implemented with COSMOS ASK-LDT through the
Reload Learning Design Player, the following steps need to be followed:
1. Install and Open the Reload Learning Design Player
2. From the “File” menu select the “Import” functionality to import the content package that was
generated by the COSMOS ASK-LDT
3. From the “Course Manager View” select the appropriate role, press the right mouse button
and select “Play”
4. Navigate within the educational activities of the scenario and preview the Educational
Content

Figure 1-22: Previewing an
Educational Scenario using the
“Reload Learning Design Player”

25


2 Indicative Examples for Designing Science Educational Scenarios
In this Chapter, some indicative examples for designing Science Educational Scenarios are presented.
These Science Educational Scenarios were produced during the COSMOS Summer School4, that
was held in Heraklion, Crete, Greece in July 7-13, 2008. The scope of the summer school was to
facilitate European Science Education Teachers in using existing tools and services for creating,
sharing and searching reusable Science educational resources and activities so as to support their
day-to-day teaching activities. To this end, each participant of the Summer School created one or
more Technology-Enhanced Science Educational Scenarios using the COSMOS ASK-LDT.

2.1 Designing Educational Scenarios based on “Guided Research Model” Template

In this Section the educational scenario called “Circular Motion” will be created based on the “Guided
Research Model” Educational Scenario Template.


1

Figure 2-1: Select
“New Educational
Scenario

4 http://www.ea.gr/ep/cosmos%2Dsummer%2Dschool/

26


a. Give the “Title” of the educational scenario i.e. Circular Motion

Figure 2-2: Give the
“Title” of the Educational
Scenario

2a

2b

3. Select the “Guided Research Model” as the Educational Scenario Template that your educational
scenario will be based on (see Figure 2-3).
a. Select the “Guided Research Model” Educational Scenario Template, from the list of the
available templates

27


Figure 2-3: Select the “Guided Research Model”
Educational Scenario Template

3a

3b


For all the available environments of the educational scenario, repeat the following steps (see Figure
2-4):

28


Service.

10. Press the “Create Content Package” button (see Figure 2-4).

Figure 2-4: Populating the “Circular
Motion” Scenario Learning Activities and
Environments with Educational Content

4 5

6

7 8

9
10

29


In Figure 2-5 the Educational Scenario “Circular Motion” is presented through the use of “Reload
Learning Design Player”.

Figure 2-5: The educational scenario
entitled “Circular Motion” based on the
“Guided Research Model” template

30


2.2 Designing Educational Scenarios based on “Inquiry-based Teaching” Template

In this Section the educational scenario called “Cosmic Collisions” will be created based on the
“Inquiry-based Teaching” Educational Scenario Template.



1

31


a. Give the “Title” of the educational scenario i.e. Cosmic Collisions


2a

2b

32


3. Select the “Inquiry-based Teaching” as the Educational Scenario Template that your educational
a. Select the “Inquiry-based Teaching” Educational Scenario Template, from the list of the
available templates
Figure 2-8: Select the “Guided
Research Model” Educational
Scenario Template

3a

3b


33


2-9):
Service.


Figure 2-9: Populating the “Cosmic
Collisions” Scenario Learning Activities and

4 5

6

7 8

9
10

34


In Figure 2-10 the Educational Scenario “Cosmic Collisions” is presented through the use of “Reload

Figure 2-10: The educational scenario entitled
“Cosmic Collisions” based on the “Inquiry-
based Teaching” template

35


2.3 Designing Educational Scenarios based on “Project-based Learning” Template

In this Section the educational scenario called “Extrasolar Planets” will be created based on the
“Project-based Learning” Educational Scenario Template.



1

36


a. Give the “Title” of the educational scenario i.e. Extrasolar Planets


2α

2b

37


3. Select the “Project-based Learning” as the Educational Scenario Template that your educational
a. Select the “Project-based Learning” Educational Scenario Template, from the list of the
available templates

Figure 2-13: Select the “Project-based
Learning” Educational Scenario Template

3a

3b


38


2-14):
Service.


Figure 2-14: Populating the “Extrasolar Planets”
Scenario Learning Activities and Environments
with Educational Content

4 5

6

7 8

9
10

39


In Figure 2-15 the Educational Scenario “Extrasolar Planets” is presented through the use of “Reload

Figure 2-15: The educational scenario
entitled “Extrasolar Planets” based on the
“Project-based Learning” template

40


2.4 Designing Educational Scenarios based on “The 5E Instructional Model”
Template

In this Section the educational scenario called “Our Solar System” will be created based on the “The
5E Instructional Model” Educational Scenario Template.



1

41


a. Give the “Title” of the educational scenario i.e. Our Solar System

Figure 2-17: Give the “Title” of the

2a

2b

42


3. Select the “The 5E Instructional Model” as the Educational Scenario Template that your
educational scenario will be based on (see Figure 2-18).
a. Select the “The 5E Instructional Model” Educational Scenario Template, from the list of the
available templates

Figure 2-18: Select the “The 5E Instructional
Model” Educational Scenario Template

3a

3b


43



Figure 2-19: Populating the “Our Solar
System” Scenario Learning Activities and

4 5

6

7 8

9
10

2-19):

44


Service.

In Figure 2-20 the Educational Scenario “Our Solar System” is presented through the use of “Reload

Figure 2-20: The educational scenario entitled “Our Solar System”
based on the “The 5E Instructional Model” template

45


2.5 Designing Educational Scenarios based on “The Learning Cycle (Supporting
Conceptual Change)” Template

In this Section the educational scenario called “The Parallax Method” will be created based on the
“The Learning Cycle (Supporting Conceptual Change)” Educational Scenario Template.



1

46


a. Give the “Title” of the educational scenario i.e. The Parallax Method

Figure 2-22: Give the “Title” of the

2a

2b

47


3. Select the “The Learning Cycle (Supporting Conceptual Change)” as the Educational Scenario
Template that your educational scenario will be based on (see Figure 2-23).
a. Select the “The Learning Cycle (Supporting Conceptual Change)” Educational Scenario
Template, from the list of the available templates

Figure 2-23: Select the “The Learning Cycle (Supporting
Conceptual Change)” Educational Scenario Template

3a

3b


48


2-24):
Service.


Figure 2-24: Populating the “The Parallax Method” Scenario
Learning Activities and Environments with Educational Content

4 5

6

7 8

9
10

49


In Figure 2-25 the Educational Scenario “The Parallax Method” is presented through the use of
“Reload Learning Design Player”.

Figure 2-25: The educational scenario entitled “The
Parallax Method” based on the “The Learning Cycle
(Supporting Conceptual Change)” template

50


51


52

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