Software Built for Lifelong Learning

In the real world, problem-solving is built on specific skills- collaboration, evaluating conflicting evidence, and using data to back up a point of view. WISE software includes a large — and growing — suite of special features that help develop exactly these skills.

The next few pages will discuss examples of these features as they have been implemented in current WISE projects, including:

• SenseMaker
• WISE Discussion
• DataViewer
• Causal Mapper
• WISE Draw

Promoting Autonomy: SenseMaker

With SenseMaker, students sort evidence according to their relevance to particular problems and their position in scientific debates.

Below: In "The How Far Does Light Go? Debate", students use SenseMaker to sort out many data supporting different sides of the debate. Later in the project, students are assigned a position and must defend it in a class debate.