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Session Type: Structured Poster Session
As we enter an “observation society”, the omnipresence of observation technologies and the apparent comfort many have of being observed in public is changing the field of observation methodology. This session presents 11 currently active empirical investigations that use observational methodology in informal environments. Outcomes of the session will address the validity of different types of observational methods applied in a wide array of informal spaces and contexts, showcase new advances in observational methods and foster networking between projects. Some of the methodologies presented include basic observation, participatory action research, telepresence, automated logging and more. Some of the contexts included are science, medical, history and children’s museums along with zoos and online gaming.
1. Making Stuff at the Museum: Observations of Family Interactions at Hands-On "Maker" Activities and the Role of Museum Relationships - Alice C. Anderson, Minneapolis Institute of Art
2. Exploring Museum Visitors' Learning With an Interactive Tabletop Exhibit on Electricity - Elham Beheshti, Northwestern University; Michael S. Horn, Northwestern University
3. Beam Me Up! Telepresent Data Collection Using a Beam Smart Presence System - Jennifer Borland, Rockman-Bloomington
4. Exploring Children's Interest by Using Video Data in a Science Museum - Yong Ju Jung, The Pennsylvania State University; Heather Toomey Zimmerman, The Pennsylvania State University
5. Participant-Observation in Informal Learning Spaces: The Role of Rapport and Ethnographic Detail in Data Collection and Analysis - Faith R. Kares, Museum of Science and Industry - Chicago
6. Research on Scaffolding: Using Algorithmic Modeling of Players' Knowledge Growth From Game Log Files - Hee-Sun Lee, The Concord Consortium; Sam Gweon, Physics Front LLC; Robert F. Tinker, The Concord Consortium; William Finzer, The Concord Consortium; Natalya St. Clair, The Concord Consortium
7. Observing Space in a Digital Makerspace - Euridice A. Oware, Museum of Science and Industry - Chicago; C. Aaron Price, Museum of Science and Industry - Chicago
8. Scientific Phenomena in Museum Programs: Using Video to Observe Young Children's Explanations - Julia D. Plummer, Pennsylvania State University; Amy Rene Ricketts, The Pennsylvania State University
9. How Informal Educators Help Visitors Make Sense of an Interactive Zoo Exhibit - Brian Slattery, University of Illinois at Chicago; Leilah Lyons, University of Illinois at Chicago; Priscilla Jimenez-Pazmino, University of Illinois at Chicago
10. Visitor and Interpreter Connections: The Role of Free Play Space in an Informal Learning Environment - Manda Smith, Lincoln Park Zoo; Brian Slattery, University of Illinois at Chicago