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Tangible Flags
Collaborative Educational Technology to enhance grade
school field trips
Gene ChipmanPhD Candidate in Computer Science
University of MarylandHuman Computer Interaction Lab
www.cs.umd.edu/hcil
Copyright Gene Chipman 2006. This work is the intellectual property of the author. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that
this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the author. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written
permission from the author.
Classroom of the Future project
Research Focus Educational
Technology Design processes
Target users Grade school children Parents and Educators
Think outside the classroom
Our perspective on developing a mobile learning application
Designed for grades K-4
Broad themes apply to older students
A gap in learning experiences
Field Trip Learning in an
authentic context Exploration Observation Note taking
Hard to collaborate Awareness Access to information
Classroom Create Explicit
Representations Expression Synthesis Collaboration
Removed from original learning context
Notes removed from context
Can not iteratively explore
What can mobile technology do?1. Situate information in the real world
1. Information accessed in a relevant context1. Compare information and environment
2. Information created in a relevant context1. More synthesis in context2. Further exploration of environment
2. Support collaboration1. Awareness of others’ activities
1. Exploration and information creation activities2. Awareness in context
2. Switch between individual and collaborative activity1. Freedom to individually explore2. Easy to initiate collaboration
Tangible Flags Technology
Situating information Tangible Flag marks real
world Flag has RFID tag
Tablet PC views info RFID reader Info on wireless server
Enhance students’ awareness
Visual flag indicates Exploration activity Information creation Identity of author
Easily turn awareness into collaboration
Collaborative Interface
Flag page Concurrently shared space
Instant collaboration Color indicates author
Flag thumbnail Access discovered flags
Context of original discovery
See changes real time ScratChat IM
Temporary messages
Tangible Flags at a National Park
Rock Creek National Park ¼ mile forest walk Scavenger hunt
Situated information Learner directs learning
Ranger participation Observer mode Flagged interesting spots
Enhanced collaboration Concurrent interaction Remote access
Conclusion Situate
Information
Enable students to Both access and create
information in context Iteratively examine the
real world while working with learning materials
Guide their own learning
Support Collaboration
Support students in Awareness of peer
activity and joint work Easily switching
between individual and joint work
Concurrent interaction
Acknowledgements
National Park Service
Microsoft
Center for Young Children
National Park Examples
Future Considerations Addressing issues of scale
Colored pens limits number of authors Shared space on Flag pages cluttered
How to scale for many students
Integrating artifacts with the classroom Both learning environments important
Content specific application Structure around learning task Support for within team collaboration
Teachers videotape field trip In class reviewing software
Match Tangible Flags in video with student created information
Optical barcodes Students see both during
discussion
Possible Extension –Returning to the Classroom
Possible Extension –Plant Identification Application Different user interface based on task
Data collection Data entry for plant characteristics
Data comparison Graphs and statistics Allows comparison between different data
Same plant or different plant Web-based identification guide Teams’ analysis and comments
Each team member has a mobile device Independently view/edit information
Easily distribute tasks within team Display aggregate of team’s input
