Applying constructivism for interactive educational software: a research based design, implementation and evaluation method

We have designed, developed and evaluated the educational software entitled \´\´Interaction between objects" within the framework of social constructivism on the basis of the data issued from a preceded research with teachers and pupils of primary and secondary education, in order to remedy pupils\´ alternative ideas and help them construct scientific knowledge about action-reaction forces. The research was made in three stages: a) exploration of pupils\´ empirical views (451 Greek pupils aged 11-16, pre-tests with written questionnaires and interviews), b) software\´s design, development and formative evaluation with 8 pupils (videotaping-interviews) and 15 teachers (written questionnaires), c) software\´s summative evaluation with 13 teachers (filling of a "diary") and teaching interventions (226 pupils, post-tests with questionnaires- interviews). We found out that the use of this software had positive teaching and learning results and was very effective in pupils\´ conceptual change.