Middle school students’ experiences during an enquiry-based learning project

Jamshid Beheshti, Charles Cole, Andrew Large

Dhary Abuhimed, Isabelle LamoureuxSchool of Information Studies

McGill University

Middle school students’ experiences during an

enquiry-based learning project

Outline Objective BackgroundFrameworkMethodology ResultsConclusion

23-04-202Cognitive Computer Science Conference 2012

Objective


To determine cognitive and affective experiences of high school students during information seeking process for an enquiry-based learning projectPhase 1 of a larger project

Design intervention agents to assist students in their information seeking process

Background


Children and teens are technology savvy, butLack basic information literacy skills

Fast searchers, but spend little time in evaluating informationRelevance of informationAccuracy of informationAuthority of information

Poor understanding of their information needsDifficulty in formulating effective search

strategiesUse natural language for searchingDifficulty in assessing relevance of a long list of

hitsUnsophisticated mental models

Framework: Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process


Tasks Initiation Selection Exploration Formulation Collection Presentation----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------→Feelings uncertainly optimism confusion clarity sense of satisfaction

or(affective) frustration direction/ disappointment

doubt confidence

Thoughts vague-------------------------------------→focused(cognitive) -----------------------------------------------→

increased interest

Actions seeking relevant information----------------------------→seeking pertinent information

(physical) exploring documenting

Methodology


Private English-language high school in Montreal

Grade 8History Night projectTwo classes44 studentsDemographic/information survey

18 (41%) girls and 26 (59%) boys93% English as their first languageClaimed average of 6 years of Internet

experience

Demographics


Activity Responses %

School work 42 97.7

Email 32 74.4

Chat 31 72.1

General information 30 69.8

Hobbies 27 62.8

Games 24 55.8

Methodology


TaskHistory Night ProjectGroups / Individual projects

11 groups / 11 individualsChoose a historical topicResearchSubmit a Thesis StatementChoose a format for the a presentationPresent in classPresentation night

Mid-February – End of May

Methodology: instrument


From the adjectives below, check (√) those that describe how you feel at this point in the project: ____ (2) Disappointed ____ (7) Doubtful____ (3) Frustrated ____ (8) Optimistic____ (4) Relieved ____ (9) Satisfied____ (5) Sure ____ (10) Uncertain____ (1) Confident ____ (6) Confused____ (11) Other_______________

Methodology: instrument


What are you thinking now?

____ I should identify several possible topics (13)

____ I should seek information about my specific topic (14)

____ I should discuss my ideas with my classmates (15)

____I should discuss the project with my parents/brothers/sisters (16)

____I should discuss my ideas with my teacher (17)

____ I should choose a topic that has the potential for success (1)

____I should choose a topic that interests me (2)

____ I should organize my thoughts and ideas (3)

____ I should become informed about the topic (5)

____ I should understand the task before me (6)

____I should choose a topic that takes the least amount of time to complete the project (8)

____ I should get more interested and involved in ideas (9)

____ I should gain a sense of direction and clarity (10)

Analysis


Based on weekly surveys30 dichotomous variables

22 included in the final analysisCronbach’s alpha = 0.746

consistencyFactor analysis

7 major components 5 FactorsGoals, Organization, Consultation, Positive

emotion, and Negative emotion

Results: Confidence Level


F=1.966, df=11,397, p=0.030


variablesSignificant Weeks (p=)

1-2 2-3 3-4 OverallSuccess .009 .000Interest .017 .030 .027

Alternatives .010 .000 .000Specific .017 .000Several topics

.010 .000

Factor I: Goals/Objectives


Factor II: Knowledge/Information Management


variablesSignificant Weeks (p=)

1-2 3-4 8-9 9-10 11-12 Overall

Organize .003 .000

Informed .000

Understand .003 .000

Clarity .057 .001 .000

Seek .002 .000

Involved 0.042


Factor III: Consultation


variables

Significant Weeks (p=)

7-8 9-10 10-11 11-12 Overall

Classmates .032

Parents .021 .032

Teacher .031 .043 .005 .029


Factor IV: Positive Emotions


variables


5-6 7-8 11-12 Overall

Confident .021

Optimistic

Relieved .033

Sure .000

Satisfied .032 .040



Factor V: Negative Emotions


variables


1-2 2-3 3-4 7-8 8-9 Overall

Frustrated .042 .042

Confused .012 .009

Doubtful .043

Uncertain .005 .000



Conclusions


Under imposed task:Five major factors

Goals/objectivesKnowledge / Information managementConsultationPositive emotionsNegative emotions

Phase II


Bonded Design MethodologyDesign team

7 students and 5 researchersDeveloped a low-tech prototype research guide

Brainstorming for a topicGeneral researchSpecific researchThesis statement

HN project (2012)Research Guide was used by 100 grade eight

studentsObserved two grade 8 classes

Weekly surveys, interviewsCurrently, data collection phase

Thank you


Questions, Comments, Suggestions, Criticisms, Compliments...

AcknowledgementsOur gratitude to

the school, teachers, and the studentsSSHRC

Documents

Middle school students’ experiences during an enquiry-based learning project