Integration of Intelligent Tutoring Systems into Middle School Biology Education

The objective of the Phase II research is to develop and test an Internet based science intelligent tutoring system, scibercell to assist 6-12 grad students learn scientific concepts that are currently difficlut to conceptualize. This will be don through an Internet-based interactive biology program and curriculum for middle and high school that fosters self-paced student-centered active learning. In Phase I a prototype program for use in teaching basic cell biology was developed and tested with over 100 sixth grade students. The average increase in the experimental group's posttest scores was 23 percent compared to 13 percent for the control group. During Phase II the full Internet-based biology instructional program for use with 6-12 grade students will be developed and tested in a demographically diverse group of schools in rural, urban and Native American communities. A pretest-posttest experimental design will be used to determine the programs effectiveness. A secondary outcome is to increase student's interest in science and health care carreeers through the program desing and implementation.