Place-Based Learning to Support Geosciences Learning During an Augmented Reality Outdoor Experience for Rural Families (Poster 23)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Wednesday 12:40 p.m.
  In Poster Session: STEM and Digital Tools in Education

Abstract

Our project uses a sociocultural-historic view of place and of learning. The analysis is on the experiences of 29 rural families (46 adults, 60 children) using an augmented reality app in a Children’s Garden. Data include matched pre- and post- interviews and video recording of families’ engagement. Our results suggest that families learned geosciences concepts during the 30–40-minute intervention. We also found a connection between talking more about science during the experience (i.e., engaging the discussion prompts) and scoring higher on the final interview. This work’s significance is that it found talk patterns based on the rural families’ experiences with an augmented reality app, building important design principles for computer-supported science education interventions.

Authors

• Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Pennsylvania State University

• Susan M. Land, Pennsylvania State University

• Bryan Keith Brightbill, Pennsylvania State University