Force and Motion Microworld (FMM)

Product or Programme · All products and programmes
Evidence · 5 claims (1 for, 4 mixed) · 1 study (1 qualitative), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 5 claims rest on one study

Description

A suite of three computer simulation programs developed by Tao et al. for exploring force and motion through collaborative predict–observe–explain tasks.

Components

Claims

• Computer-supported collaborative learning with simulation programs fostered conceptual change for students who were cognitively engaged and prepared to reflect on and reconstruct their conceptions [+W]
• Alternative conceptions in force and motion were very difficult to change: of 14 students, 6 showed substantial conceptual change, 1 some change, and 7 no change [~W]
• High joint on-task engagement with high equality and mutuality of engagement did not necessarily mean cognitive engagement or ensure conceptual change [~W]
• Peer conflicts did not always produce conceptual change; they appeared to work only for students prepared to reflect on and reconstruct their conceptions [~W]
• Co-construction of shared understanding needed to be accompanied by students' personal construction and sense making for conceptual change to be stable over time [~W]

Related Products and Programmes

• Tailorshop microworld

Key Sources

• Tao, Ping-Kee; Gunstone, Richard F. (1997). Conceptual Change in Science through Collaborative Learning at the Computer. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (70th, Oak Brook, IL, March 21-24, 1997). https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED406151

Page metadata

Field	Value
type	product
id	force-and-motion-microworld-fmm
title	Force and Motion Microworld (FMM)
description	A suite of three computer simulation programs developed by Tao et al.
status	review
moved_from	element/force-and-motion-microworld-fmm
product_kind	software
generated	by process:sweep-kinds on 2026-10-10
trust	unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
sources	1 — tao-1997

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