MicroDYN

Product or Programme · All products and programmes
Evidence · 4 claims (3 for, 1 mixed) · 1 study (1 associational), q3 · 1 of 1 report an effect size · 4 claims rest on one study

Description

MicroDYN is Joachim Funke's scalable assessment system using linear structural-equation items to measure learners' exploration, mental-model externalization, and control of dynamic systems.

Components

• MicroDYN computer-based learning scenario with control-of-variables strategy scoring and knowledge-map knowledge acquisition scoring: MicroDYN (Greiff et al., 2012; Schweizer et al., 2013) is an established, validated computer-based learning scenario in which students acquire content knowledge by conducting experiments on simulated dynamic systems, manipulating input variables with a digital lever to infer the system's underlying structure. Two measures were derived: a process measure scoring consistent application of the control-of-variables strategy from log files (up to eight points) and a knowledge acquisition measure scored via arrows drawn in a knowledge map (up to nine points). (Stebner et al. (2022))

Claims

• Stealth assessment estimates of problem solving in Use Your Brainz correlate significantly with external measures (Raven's and MicroDYN) in middle-school students [+W]
• Raven's and MicroDYN jointly explain 22% of variance in the stealth assessment estimate, with MicroDYN adding 5.7% unique variance beyond Raven's [+W]
• Stealth assessment facets show good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.76) while MicroDYN reliabilities were low in this middle-school sample [~W]
• MicroDYN is a stronger predictor of the in-game problem solving estimates than Raven's, with the rule-application facet more relevant than rule acquisition [+W]

Related Products and Programmes

• Tailorshop microworld
• Multi-strategy test (MST)

Key Sources

• Joachim Funke. (2009). Complex problem solving: a case for complex cognition? Cogn Process. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10339-009-0345-0
• Stebner, F., Schuster, C., Weber, X.-L., Greiff, S., Leutner, D., & Wirth, J. (2022). Transfer of metacognitive skills in self-regulated learning: effects on strategy application and content knowledge acquisition. Metacognition and Learning, 17, 715-744. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11409-022-09322-x

Page metadata

Field	Value
type	product
id	microdyn
title	MicroDYN
description	MicroDYN is Joachim Funke's scalable assessment system using linear structural-equation items to measure learners' exploration, mental-model externalization, and control of dynamic systems.
status	review
product_kind	assessment
generated	by process:settle-candidates on 2026-10-16
trust	unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content

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