Exploring a domain with a computer simulation : traversing variable and relation space with the help of a hypothesis scratchpad

Computer simulations provide achallenging opportunity to create learning environments in which learners are free to explore the domain and discover the domain properties themselves. Contemporary theories of learning state that knowledge acquired and constructed within such an exploratory environment will be rooted more deeply within the learner's knowledge structures. On the other hand, it has also become dear that offering a simulation to the learner without offering any additional support may result in learners getting lost in the simulation environment, not learning very much. Therefore, additional support is deemed necessary for simulation learning environments