Investigating children's deep learning of the tree life cycle using mobile technologies. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Choi, Gi Woong; Land, Susan M.; Zimmerman, Heather Toomey
• Is Part Of: Computers in human behavior. Volume 87(2018)
• Page Start: 470
• Page End: 479
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Problem solving -- Mobile learning -- Informal learning -- Educational affordance; Interactive computer systems -- Periodicals; Man-machine systems -- Periodicals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2018.04.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0747-5632

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigates children's problem-solving activities during mobile learning in an outdoor summer camp setting. We designed a mobile application to support children on trails at a nature center to apply strategies for decision making about tree life cycles. We analyzed video records of 10 groups (9 dyads and 1 triad) of children (ages 9–12) using primarily a thematic qualitative analysis of learning episodes. We analyzed how children used problem-solving strategies to identify and capture the tree cycle with the help of mobile tablets. We found that our mobile learning experience and its external representations supported the following: (1) engagement in deep learning in the natural setting as evidenced by coordinating decisions with photographic evidence; (2) use of procedural or tactical strategies to approach the problem; and (3) use of real-time decision making strategies about tree life cycles. Highlights: The mobile application was designed to support children learning about trees at a nature center. We investigated children's problem-solving strategies to identify and capture the stages of the tree cycle. With the external representation provided by mobile tablets, children engaged in deep science learning in an outdoor setting.