Relational Entanglements of Children's Ecological Imagination: An Investigation Into Augmented Storying

• In Event: Games and Emerging Technologies in Environmental Education

Abstract

Building from sociocultural theorizing, we investigated how augmented storying mediated children’s ecological imagination making visible their relations with nature. Our data derive from a Finnish elementary school in which an Augmented Reality (AR) application, MyAr Julle, was utilized by children (N=62, aged 7-9) to explore, immerse and engage with nature, and to create and share their narratives. The primary data consisted of 30 video-recorded conversational interviews with children. A narrative thematic analysis revealed how the children’s ecological imagination manifested through relational entanglements encompassing affective, embodied, sensual, scientific and cultural knowledge, symbolic, and moral dimensions, reflecting their knowing, valuing and becoming with nature. The study suggests that augmented storying offers a potential means to engage children in ecological imagination.

Authors

• Kristiina P. Kumpulainen, University of Helsinki

• Jenny Byman, University of Helsinki

• Jenny Renlund, University of Helsinki

• Chin Chin Wong, University of Helsinki

• Jennifer A. Vadeboncoeur, University of British Columbia