Irish Child Health Database - Peer Reviewed Papers
Database Search
-
Designing ubiquitous computing to enhance children's learning in museums
Published in:
Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, Vol: 22, Page: 231-243,Blackwell Publishing
Publication Date:
2006
Aims & Objectives:
This article presents the results of a design process that set out to explore interactive techniques, which utilized ubiquitous computer technology, to stimulate active participation, involvement and learning by children visiting a museum
Abstract:
In recent years, novel paradigms of computing have emerged, which enable computational power to be embedded in artefacts and in environments in novel ways. These developments may create new possibilities for using computing to enhance learning. This paper presents the results of a design process that set out to explore interactive techniques, which utilized ubiquitous computer technology, to stimulate active participation, involvement and learning by children visiting a museum. Key stakeholders, such as museum curators and docents, were involved throughout the process of creating the exhibition, Re-Tracing the Past, in the Hunt Museum, Limerick, Ireland. The paper describes aspects of the evaluation of the exhibition, which involved 326 schoolchildren (ages 9-12-year-old), and which exemplifies important features of the design and use of the novel technology in the museum. The paper concludes by articulating a series of design guidelines for developing ubiquitous computing to enhance children's learning in museums. These guidelines relate 12 experiential criteria to five supporting design informants and resources. The guidelines encompass important dimensions of children's educational experience in museums, including collaboration, engagement, active interpretation, and materiality. While developed in a museum context, these guidelines could be applied to the development of novel computing to enhance children's learning in other educational environments, both formal and informal. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved) (from the journal abstract)
Authors:
Study Type:
Non Study Papers » Discussion paper, review, commentary, letter »
Notes:
0266-4909 1365-2729 Accession Number: 2006-08922-002. First Author & Affiliation: Hall, Tony; Learning Sciences Research Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom. Other Journal Title: Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. Other Publishers: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.. Release Date: 20060717. Publication Type: Journal, (0100) Peer Reviewed Journal, (0110). Media Covered: Electronic. Media Available: Electronic; Print. Document Type: Journal Article. Language: English. Major Descriptor: Computer Assisted Instruction; Computers; Human Computer Interaction; Learning; Technology. Minor Descriptor: Museums. Classification: Educational Psychology (3500) . Population: Human (10) Male (30) Female (40) . Location: Ireland. Age Group: Childhood (birth-12 yrs) (100) School Age (6-12 yrs) (180) . Grant Information: This research was conducted with the support of the European Union Disappearing Computer Initiative and specifically the SHAPE project, Situating Hybrid Assemblies in Public Environments; January 2001- June 2004 contract #26069. Methodology: Empirical Study; Qualitative Study. References Available: Y.
Keywords:
- children''s informal learning
- computational technologies
- Computer Assisted Instruction
- Computers
- Human Computer Interaction
- interaction design
- Learning
- museums
- Technology
- ubiquitous computing
Geography:
the United Kingdom (United Kingdom)