This proposal is to acquire an inexpensive set of tablets and shock-proof cases that could be used by graduate students in the environmental education program (and potentially other programs) to design interactive field trip guides for use at local nature centers, beaches, trails, wildlife centers, and other sites of interest.
The idea is to provide interactive, site-relevant content to children, families, and other visitors that helps them to appreciate and engage with the environment and it's natural, cultural, and historical features. Known as a form of augmented (rather than virtual) reality, content would be geo-referenced, which does not require expensive signage. Leveraging the computing power of the tablets, content could include things like:
- historical photos and clickable information for those interested
- maps and overlays showing cultural and natural features that aren't visible from ground level
- interactive games and activities related directly to the site that would engage young children and families
- fun stories specifically written for the sites by staff, students, and participants
- specific, non-frustrating field guides based on photos made at the spot by staff and students
- information written at a range of grade levels that could be called up as desired
- videos and animations that help explain concepts that are related to the site (and the state standards)
- content focused on other senses that could help engage participants
- tasks or challenges that engage participants in scientific practices and critical thinking
Environmental education and other education students could work with community partners to generate the content. Stories, photography, and interactive content could be designed and updated as part of EE and other class assignments.
Advantages include:
- Increased engagement and learning at local sites that aren't quite as spectacular as the Grand Canyon.
- Opportunites to creatively collaborate with community partners.
- Graduate and undergraduate students with interests in science, social studies, mathematics, and literature could all contribute to educational content tied to specific places in local communities.
- Could be adapted to schools with nearby natural areas, increasing the pedagogical value of getting children outside of the classroom more often.
- As this is rapidly advancing technology that is not especially expensive, it could form the basis for a research program with the potential for
national impact.
- The designers of Point by Canogle, which promised
"Guided Tours on Your Smartphone", are interested in working with me on research and curriculum design. See canogle.com and/or the brochure in supporting documents.
- This is also a potentially new and engaging market for curriculum design that FAU could take a leading role in.
