The Development of the Simulation Modeling System and Modeling Ability Evaluation

This research intended to develop and evaluate the computer simulation software ofpendulum, and explore junior high students' scientific modeling ability. Firstly, the researcher analyzed pendulum modeling software development. Secondly, this researcher considered the validity of the software and the assessments of the whole system, and he revised the software to make it more suitable for the purposes of junior high students' pendulum modeling with computer simulation. Finally, the purpose of this research is to contend the suggestions of application of the software for junior high science teacher, and to develop synthetic software of pendulum modeling in this research. The conclusions are as follows: 1. There are six kinds of variables of simulation pendulum: mass, length, angle, force, air-force, and width of string. Based on the modeling processes, the researcher needed to develop relevant software tools to help students' modeling, such as Time-recorder, grid chart and the film of Galileo's history of science. 2. The fuzzy synthetic evaluation was implemented for assessing modeling ability. Five aspects, with totally 19 sub items together, are contained in the evaluation system, which can be regarded as the evaluation for student's modeling ability. 3. Via the evaluation in discipline content, media interface and the user attitude, etc., this simulation software is suitable for the stage of junior high student pendulum modeling.