October 1st, 2013 | RESEARCH
This research examines the Tree Investigators project to support science learning with mobile devices during family public programmes in an arboretum. Using a case study methodology, researchers analysed video records of 10 families (25 people) using mobile technologies with naturalists at an arboretum to understand how mobile devices supported science talk related to tree biodiversity. The conceptual framework brings together research on technological supports for science learning and research on strategies that encourage families to engage in conversations that support observation and explanation practices. Findings suggested that families engaged in high levels of perceptual talk (describing and identifying) while using mobile computers. Commonly, families articulated scientific observations when supported by prompts, visuals, and scaffolds delivered by the mobile computers. Families struggled to make explanations about the biological importance of what they saw in relation to ecological principles; however, families made connections to their everyday life within explanations they developed at the arboretum. Our research showed the importance of mobile supports that provided on-demand, localised sense-making resources for explanation building while limiting observational complexity.
Document
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Team Members
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Author, Penn State UniversitySusan Land, Author
Lucy McClain, Author
Michael Mohney, Author
Gi Woong Choi, Author
Fariha Salman, Author
Citation
Identifier Type: doi
Identifier: 10.1080/21548455.2013.832437
Publication: International Journal of Science Education
Volume: 5
Number: 1
Related URLs
Tags
Audience: Families | Learning Researchers | Museum | ISE Professionals
Discipline: Ecology | forestry | agriculture | Education and learning science | Life science
Resource Type: Peer-reviewed article | Research Products
Environment Type: Exhibitions | Media and Technology | Museum and Science Center Exhibits | Websites | Mobile Apps | Online Media