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Summary: April 2004 Journal of Engineering Education 97
ANN F. MCKENNA
Undergraduate Engineering
Northwestern University
ALICE M. AGOGINO
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of California at Berkeley
ABSTRACT
A learning environment to support mechanical reasoning and
understanding of simple machines for middle school and high
school students is presented, along with results of an evaluation of
its effectiveness in student learning. Based on recommendations
from literature on instructional frameworks and cognitive aspects
of mechanical reasoning, SIMALE (the Simple Machines
Learning Environment) was designed to support reflection,
collaboration, and presentation of concepts from multiple
perspectives. SIMALE was implemented with a diverse
population of middle and high school students with three
treatment variations: (1) environment with focus on Lego
exercises to engage in hands-on physical activities,
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