Design and application of computational modeling in science education research: a systematic review
Qing Guo, Yanting He, Yuqing Chen, Cuilan Qiao · Interactive Learning Environments · 2024
In recent times, science education has turned its attention toward computational modeling (CM). While there exists a substantial body of research on CM case design and practical applications, a notable gap exists in systematic reviews of these studies. Although systematic reviews of computational thinking in science classrooms exist, they diverge from the definition of CM, often omitting pertinent articles. This study adhered to the standardized process of systematic literature review, selecting Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus as the databases. It established search keywords and criteria for the inclusion and exclusion of literature. After multiple rounds of screening, this study ultimately obtained 70 works related to CM. For the results, this study begins with an analysis of publication distribution, research popularity trends, research types, and methodologies. Subsequently, it delves into participant profiles, encompassing their geographical distribution, educational levels, and sample sizes. Furthermore, it scrutinizes case types, modeling tools, and the fundamental functionalities within case design. Lastly, it explores the scientific disciplines and student competencies that researchers prioritize in CM’s practical application, along with the evaluation methods, collected data, and core empirical findings. The findings of this study offer valuable insights for future research directions, catalyzing deeper exploration within the field.