Virtual Design Center design principles

The Virtual Design Center uses design principles based on contemporary educational research. You will be directed to read the research summaries supporting these principles throughout the six steps.

Principle 1:
Designers Should Enhance Learners' Ill-structured Problem-solving Skills

Principle 2:
A Research Question Should Pique Learners' Curiosity

Principle 3:
A Research Question Should Spark Learners' Ideas About the Answer

Principle 4:
Designers Should Offer Learners Choices as Learners Conduct Investigations

Principle 5:
Designers Should Provide Support by Fostering Multiple Abilities

Principle 6:
Designers Should Promote Self-regulated Learning

Principle 7:
Designers Should Encourage Participation in Team Research

Principle 8:
Designers Should Encourage Learners to Justify Their Solutions Through Argumentation

Principle 9:
Designers Should Provide Scaffolding to Learners for Organization of Learners' Understanding of the Problem

Principle 10:
Designers Should Help Learners Understand and Internalize the Structure of Argumentation
by Ingo Kollar, Frank Fischer, and James D. Slotta (first winner of 2005 Virtual Design Center paper competition)

Principle 11:
Assessment Should Be Designed to Examine and Foster Inquiry, Collaboration, and Understanding in Science Learning
by Eddy Y.C. Lee, Carol K.K. Chan, and Jan van Aalst (second winner of 2005 Virtual Design Center paper competition)

Principle 12:
Providing Scaffolding for Complex Cognitive Skills Helps Learners Engage in Expert-like Thinking Process
by Jakita N. Owensby and Janet L. Kolodner (third winner of 2005 Virtual Design Center paper competition)