Getting a Feel for It: A Hands-On Approach for Expressive Activities in Middle School Astronomy

• In Event: Roundtable Session 29
  In Roundtable Session: Investigating Different Ways of Knowing and Learning Inside and Outside the Science Classroom

Abstract

We present a formative trial that is part of a larger design research study, detailing the enactment of an activity that used low-fidelity, tangible materials within a technology-enhanced, middle-school astronomy curriculum. We describe the context of the learning activity and provide a rationale for its inclusion in the unit. Our research goal was to understand how the classroom teacher perceived the viability of the approach, both in terms of its relevance in the curriculum and its usability in the classroom. Our qualitative analysis draws primarily on interview data. We conclude with a discussion of how our findings can inform future iterations of Common Knowledge, a text-based mobile application designed to facilitate knowledge community discourse, by supporting multimedia elements (e.g., video).

Authors

• Rebecca M. Quintana, University of Toronto

• Cresencia Fong, University of Toronto - OISE

• Ben Peebles, University of Toronto - OISE

• Alisa Acosta, University of Toronto - OISE

• James D. Slotta, University of Toronto