SMALLab: virtual geology studies using embodied learning with motion,sound, and graphics

We present a new and innovative interface that allows the learner’s body to move freely in a multimodal learning environment. The Situated Multimedia Arts Learning Laboratory (SMALLab) uses 3D object tracking, real time graphics, and surround‐sound to enhance embodied learning. Our hypothesis is that optimal learning and retention occur when learning is embodied, multiple modalities are recruited, and learners are allowed to be highly collaborative. We present two geology studies in a high school setting. In the layer cake scenario, students learned more after three days of building and discussing depositional layers in SMALLab than would be expected from a simple retest effect. In the contour mapping scenario, students learned significantly more after creating and discussing maps in the SMALLab environment for three days, compared with a group that received three days of regular instruction with hands‐on projects. We contend that embodied, collaborative, virtual environments have much to offer STEM learners, and the learning gains transcend those that can be expected from more traditional classroom procedures.

SMALLab: Virtuelle Geologiestudien mit Hilfe der Ausdrack verliehenen Gelehrsamkeit mit Bewegong, Geräusch und graphischer Darstellung

Wir zeigen eine neue und innovative Schnittstelle, die dem Körper des Anfängers erlaubt, sich frei in einer multimodalen Lernumgebung zu bewegen. Das situierte Multimedia Kunst‐Lern‐Labor (SMALLab) benutzt 3D‐Objektverfolgungen, reale zeitgraphische Darstellungen und Rundum‐Klangkulissen, um das erzielte Lernergebnis zu verbessern. Unsere Hypothese ist, dass optimale Lern‐ und Merkergebnisse erzielt werden, wenn “zu lernen” Ausdruck verliehen wird, mehrfache Verfahrensweisen ausgewählt sind, und Lernenden erlaubt wird, hoch kooperativ zu sein. Wir legen zwei Geologiestudien in einer High‐School Einstellung vor. Im “Schichtkuchen”‐Szenario lernten Studenten in drei Tagen mehr depositionale Schichten in SMALLab zu bauen und zu erörtern, als von einer einfachen Nachtestwirkung erwartet werden würde. Im Konturangleichungsszenario, lernten Studenten bedeutend mehr nach dem Entwerfen und Erörtern an drei Tagen von Landkarten in der SMALLab Umgebung, verglich mit einer Gruppe, die drei Tage regelmäßig Anweisungen bei der praktischen Projektarbeit erhielt. Wir behaupten, dass kooperative, virtuelle Umgebungen viel dazu beitragen, STEM‐Lernern Lerngewinne anzubieten, und dass sie jene übersteigen, die von mehr traditionellen Klassenzimmerverfahren erwartet werden können.

SMALLab: étudier virtuellement la qéologie en passant par un apprentissage incorpe comportant le mouvement, le son et le graphisme

Nous présentons un nouvel interface innovant qui permet au corps de l’apprenant de se déplacer librement dans un environnement d’apprentissage multimodal. Le Laboratoire d’Apprentissage des Arts Multimedia en Situation (SMALL) utilise le repérage des objets en 3D, du graphisme en temps réel, et une sonorisation enveloppante, ceci pour renforcer l’apprentissage « incorporé ». Notre hypothèse, c’est que l’apprentissage et la rétention sont les meilleurs lorsque l’apprentissage est « incorporé », lorsqu’on fait appel à des modalités multiples et lorsqu’on permet aux apprenants d’être des collaborateurs actifs. Nous présentons deux études de géologie dans un contexte de lycée.Dans le scénario du gâteau fourré, les élèves ont appris davantage après trois jours de construction et de débats sur les couches de sédimentation au SMALLab que ce qu’on pourrait attendre d’un simple effet de contre essai. Dans le scénario de cartographie des courbes de niveau les élèves ont appris nettement plus après avoir crée et débattu pendant trois jours sur les cartes dans l’environnement du SMALLab si on les compare à un groupe qui a reçu trois jours de formation traditionnelle avec des réalisations concrètes. Nous soutenons que les environnements virtuels, collaboratifs, « incorporés » offrent beaucoup de possibilités aux apprenants de Science et de Technologie et que les gains cognitifs dépassent ceux que l’on peut attendre des protocoles de classe plus traditionnels.

SMALLab: como estudiar geología virtualmente a través de un apprendizaje “encarnado” incluyendo movimientos, sonido y grafismo

Aquí presentamos un nuevo interface innovador que permite al cuerpo del alumno moverse libremente dentro de un entorno de aprendizaje multi‐modal. El Laboratorio de Aprendizaje de Artes Multimedia en Situación (SMALLab) utiliza la localización de objetos 3D, el grafismo en tiempo real y un sonido envolvente para realzar el aprendizaje «encarnado». Nuestra hipótesis es que los mejores niveles de aprendizaje y retención aparecen cuando el aprendizaje está «encarnado», cuando muchas modalidades están involucradas y cuando los discentes tienen une fuerte capacidad de colaboración. Aquí presentamos dos estudios de geología dentro de un contexto de enseñanza media. En el escenario del «pastel relleno» los alumnos han aprendido más al final de tres días de construcción y debate sobre las capas sedimentarias que lo que se puede esperar de un efecto de segunda prueba. En el escenario de cartografía de curvas de nivel, los alumnos aprendieron mucho más después de tres días de creación y de debate sobre mapas en el entorno del SMALLab en comparación con un grupo que había recibido tres días de aulas regulares con proyectos prácticos. Sostenemos que los entornos virtuales «encarnados» y colaborativos pueden ofrecer mucho a los alumnos de Ciencias y Tecnologías y que los beneficios cognitivos superan lo que se puede esperar de prácticas más tradiconales en el aula.     

Understanding experience better in educational contexts: the phenomenology of embodied subjectivity

ABSTRACT

The authors consider in this critical paper that claims that human agents experience things-in-the-world as the same are deeply flawed as these accounts misconstrue and fail to appreciate the phenomenology of embodied subjectivity. To overcome these complex problems they outline how phenomenology can reach beyond positivist and standardised approaches to classroom learning and assessment and offer a broader and more encouraging perspective. They consider that the naturalistic account of subjectivity advanced by Merleau-Ponty provides a theoretically sound basis for understanding experiences better and for embodiment to become more central to educational aims. In developing their position they detail how recognising changes in Merleau-Ponty’s thinking over time are crucial for appreciating the nature of embodied subjectivity. Thereafter, they highlight and exemplify how practical approaches based on a phenomenological reduction of seeking, sensing and seeing could enhance the centrality of embodied subjectivity in contemporary education.     

化学教学中研究性学习的实施

研究性学习鼓励学生以类似科学研究的方式,进行主动探究、自主学习。在化学学科领域里渗透研究性学习有利于素质教育的全面实施,有利于培养学生的创新能力、实践能力、问题意识、合作意识,以及关注化学与自然、社会、生活的联系,而不仅是化学知识的传授和掌握。化学教学中研究性学习的实施,将促进教师的教育观念、教学内容、教学方式以及学生学习方式的根本变革,推动化学教育教学改革进一步深化,全面提高化学教学质量。     

A programme for future audit professionals: using action research to nurture student engagement

Professionals require decision-making skills as well as technical knowledge. One might assume that their university education prepares them for this role yet, and least for future audit professionals, traditional text – and lecture – methods dominate teaching practice. This Participation Action Research study develops with auditing students a practice-informed, computer-based and judgement-orientated learning programme. We seek to identify ways in which student engagement in such decision-making dilemmas can be created and improved. Logs, student-surveys and notes from an independent observer document the longitudinal process. Findings identify features that improve student engagement and a contribution of the project is in revealing the value of removing technical and in-class social barriers. Implications for nurturing higher-level learning and for serving professional curriculums generally conclude the study.     

Adaptation of a computer programming course to the ESHE requirements: evaluation five years later

In the academic year 2010–2011, Spain finished the process of introducing the regulatory changes derived from the Bologna Declaration and the new European Space for Higher Education (ESHE). These changes have implied the updating of university degrees’ structure as well as the inclusion of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). This paper describes the process of adaptation of two basic first-semester core subjects of computer engineering to one of the basic aspects of the ESHE, the adoption of the ECTS. The process described in the paper was developed in the framework of the pilot plan undertaken by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona between 2005 and 2010. The proposed course design implies a better coordination and integration of the contents of two different subjects that students follow simultaneously, and it is based on the combination of project-based learning and cooperative learning. After the experience finished, an extended quantitative and qualitative analysis of the academic results over the five-year period has shown an improvement in the students’ learning outcomes.     

Solving Problems in Genetics,Part III: Change in the view of the nature of science

Numerous investigations show that most school science teaching, in Spain and elsewhere, implicitly transmits an inductivist and very stereotyped view of science and conveys an unrealistic image of scientific work. We present some results of an investigation with fourth‐level Spanish secondary education students (15 year olds) who were taught genetics through a unit based on an open problem‐solving methodology as an investigation. Among the learning objectives were the modification of their view of the nature of science in relation to ideas about: how science is done, what a theory is, what scientists do, and, finally, what the relationship is between Science–Technology–Society. The conceptual change about the nature of science experienced by the students in the experimental group was not observed in the control group, which worked in a traditional manner. Also, these new concepts remained with the students over time without a significant backward shift.     

浅谈开放教育《计算机应用基础》课程导学

分析了开放教育特点及《计算机应用基础》课程特点,提出了该门课程的导学思路,即：引导学生转变学习观念,树立自主学习意识;指导学生运用多种教学媒体,参与各种教学环节;辅导学生边学习边实践,培养学生的问题意识;督导学生完成作业,灵活掌握形成性考核。并按该思路举例说明了《计算机应用基础》课程的导学方法。     

Workplace learning within teacher education: the role of job characteristics and goal orientation

Within teacher education, it is widely recognised that internships play a major role in preparing prospective teachers. The current research examines if the learning activities students’ undertake in the workplace can be explained by students’ goal orientation and their perceptions of the workplace. In addition, it will be investigated whether this model is predictive for students’ academic achievement. Participants in this study were 464 bachelor students enrolled in teacher education. The results from the structural equation modelling show that students’ learning goal orientation is an important predictor for students’ learning activities and academic achievement. Students with a higher learning goal orientation demonstrate a more active approach towards their learning. Regarding the context, some positive relations between work-related variables such as job demands and job control on the one hand and students’ learning activities on the other hand were identified, but their relationship was more limited than expected.     

To guide or not to guide: issues in the sequencing of pedagogical structure in computational model-based learning

This research explores issues related to the sequencing of structure that is provided as pedagogical guidance. A study was conducted that involved grade 10 students in Singapore as they learned concepts about electricity using four NetLogo Investigations of Electricity agent-based models. It was found that the low-to-high structure learning sequences group participants scored significantly higher on the posttest assessments of conceptual and procedural understanding of electricity concepts, whereas the high-to-high structure learning sequences showed no significant changes from pretest to posttest. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to other research into the sequencing and design of pedagogical structure and guidance in the literature.     

Among friends: the role of academic-preparedness diversity in individual performance within a small-group STEM learning environment

In this study, we investigate the relationship between academic-preparedness diversity within small learning groups and individual academic performance in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) university courses. We further examine whether academic-preparedness diversity impacts academically more- and less-prepared students differently. We use data from 5367 university students nested within 1141 science, engineering, and mathematics learning groups and use a regression analysis to estimate the effect of group diversity, measured in two ways, on course performance. Our results indicate that academic-preparedness diversity is generally associated with positive learning outcomes, that academically less-prepared students derive greater benefit, and that less-prepared students fare best when they are not alone in a group of highly prepared students. Implications for teaching and small-group facilitation are addressed.     

A Feeling for the Environment: Emotion Talk in/for the Pedagogy of Public Environmental Education

Emotions are important aspects in/for the pedagogy of environmental education (EE). However, the literature on the relationship between emotions and EE has not explored how emotion talk furnishes teaching identity claims and mediates instruction in/about the environment. Therefore, the present study draws on two ethnographic case studies to investigate the rhetorical and situational use of emotion discursive categories in interviews and authentic EE learning situations. Our findings suggest that rather than just being an outcome of effective instructional models designed to instill an environmental consciousness in students, emotion discourses are means to help account for and concretely realize the pedagogy of EE.     

Learning about the past: exploring the opportunities and challenges of using an outdoor learning approach

This paper examines the potential of outdoor learning for supporting children’s understanding of and attitude towards history. A class of primary school children participated in an intensive experiential, residential history programme. A range of data was collected before, during and after the residential programme, and the findings suggest that the experience had a positive impact on the children’s attitude towards history and enabled many of the children to be able to easily recall highly specific factual knowledge. However, the children’s understanding of history as a provisional construct was not developed, as it was not a strong feature of the programme. Nor was the experiential nature of the experience fully exploited. Overall the study suggests that such a programme has the potential to support children’s learning of the past, but a deeper understanding of history, drawing on the benefits of outdoor learning pedagogy, needs to be planned for more explicitly.     

Intergenerational learning at a nature center: families using prior experiences and participation frameworks to understand raptors

Using a sociocultural framework to approach intergenerational learning, this inquiry examines learning processes used by families during visits to one nature center. Data were collected from videotaped observations of families participating in an environmental education program and a follow-up task to draw the habitat of raptors. Based on a thematic analysis, researchers developed two themes about the learning processes at play in the nature center, related to the use of prior knowledge. First, families’ prior knowledge used at the nature center came from informal education activities: (a) observation in the outdoors and spaces designed to represent an aspect of nature, (b) media (including books and Internet), and (c) experiences at informal education institutions. Second, when sharing prior knowledge, participation frameworks were created through the conversation that leveled the hierarchy between parent and child allowing for negotiation and collaborative idea formation. In the nature center, families valued social harmony by positioning their children as capable contributors of environmental knowledge. Suggestions to researchers taking a sociocultural approach are given, including the potential of ‘participation frameworks’ as an analytical tool to study learning interactions and as a potential tool for environmental educators to encourage families to create roles and structures for successful learning outcomes in nature centers.     

Learning outdoors or with a computer: the contribution of the learning setting to learning and to environmental perceptions

ABSTRACT

Background: Outdoor learning and computer-based learning are two different alternatives to in-class conventional teacher-centered learning.

Purpose: This study compares the outdoor learning setting with computer-based learning in class. It examines the influence of the two different learning settings on academic achievements, the learning experience, and pro-environmental perceptions.

Sample: A total of 90 elementary school students (third and fourth-grade classes) participated in the study.

Design and methods: The academic knowledge of the study participants was tested through identical exams for both learning settings. In addition, in each group the students’ perceptions were examined by means of a questionnaire about environmental values and the learning experience.

Results: The study demonstrates that academic achievements in the two settings were similar, but the students expressed more enthusiasm about the outdoor learning experience than about in-class learning. In addition, the outdoor learning setting contributed more to promoting positive environmental perceptions even though students did not learn directly about environmental issues and sustainability.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that learning in the natural environment is valuable: Alongside the fostering of computerized learning, it is also important to promoteoutdoor learning settings and integrate both settings by implementing mobile technologies in the outdoor teaching.     

Online course selection: using course dashboards to inform student enrollment decisions

This article explores the potential of course dashboards as a front-end strategy for decreasing online course dropout rates. Scholarship has addressed course attrition once students are enrolled in online courses. However, supporting academic success by assisting students in the making of effective decisions about which online courses to take has received relatively little attention. Students in undergraduate-level online courses from varied disciplines rated the utility of course information types and three course dashboard prototypes. Qualitative feedback was also collected. Various types of information related to the time investment necessary to successfully complete the course were given priority. With regard to information displays, students preferred moderate-to-high amounts of well-organised information, presented with a careful balance of text and visual images. Comments from past students also favoured course dashboard elements.     

Assessment using the P scales: best fit – fit for the purpose?

In this article, Andrew Martin, deputy headteacher at Greenside School in Stevenage, provides an outline of the development of the P scales as an assessment tool for pupils working below Level 1 of the National Curriculum. He recounts the difficulties his school found in using P scales to track pupil progress from year to year and describes and evaluates a computer package which he devised in order to fulfil this function. He goes on to discuss current issues in the use of P scales, many of which were highlighted through use of the computer package. These issues include inconsistency in the use of the P scales; variations in pupil profiles; difficulties over making 'best fit' judgements; the need for moderation; and relationships with other curriculum and assessment systems in the school years and in the Foundation Stage. Andrew Martin closes his article with a call for consistency in approaches to assessment, particularly in view of the fact that P scale assessments are to be collected as part of statutory end of key stage data collection arrangements in future.     

Design for learning: Adapting the microscopic anatomy laboratory to adult learners

Medical school curricula are undergoing transformational change in response to calls for integrating content across courses and years to enable better retention and application and for individualizing learning to meet the diverse backgrounds and thus differing needs of students. To address the related teaching challenges, faculty can employ solid principles of adult learning and instructional design and use teaching strategies that stimulate different learning styles. We developed laboratory sessions that follow a learner‐centered instructional design model we refer to as “PLHET,” reflecting the steps of preparing, linking, hooking, engaging, and transferring learning, and also applied teaching strategies that reflect Kolb's four styles of learning (accommodative, divergent, assimilative, and convergent). We utilized a group learning format to promote active learning, teamwork, and self‐direction. Preliminary data based on student surveys of laboratory activity show positive responses. In the future, we will test the hypothesis that this design will improve medical students' performance. Anat Sci Educ © 2013 American Association of Anatomists.     

Making connections: a conference approach to developing transformative environmental and sustainability education within initial teacher education

Abstract

Children today face significant challenges in response to living in a globalised world and the predicted environmental threats to the planet. However, implementing environmental and sustainability education (ESE) within schools can be complex and is often ignored within initial teacher education (ITE). In response, this project aimed to evaluate pedagogies for developing transformative learning for ESE within the context of university-based ITE. We ran a conference for trainee teachers informed by critical, participatory and arts-based pedagogic approaches. Alongside this, we undertook an interpretive case study, collecting data through questionnaires, focus groups and in-conference spoken reflection. Findings suggest trainee teachers gained a more nuanced understanding of the value and nature of ESE, as well as more affective and informed engagement with it, across the conference. Implications for ESE within ITE focus around the potential of pedagogies which provide affective experiences, in particular participatory and arts-based pedagogical approaches, for inspiring and empowering trainee teachers to enter into schools and develop their own ESE practice as classroom teachers.