ABSTRACT
In previous research, we identified strategies for adapting scientists’ investigation tools to be appropriate for use by students to support inquiry-based learning (Edelson & Gordin, 1998; Edelson, Gordin, & Pea, 1999). The goal is to take tools that enable scientists to conduct investigations that extend the boundary of human understanding and adapt them to create tools that enable students to conduct investigations that enable them to extend the boundaries of their personal understanding. The challenge is to take a tool designed for experts who bring substantial understanding of both the subject under study and the investigation techniques supported by the tool and convert it into a tool for novices who will use the tool to develop understanding of subject matter and investigation techniques.
