“Making Field Trips Podtastic!” by Aliece Weller, John Bickar, and Paul McGuinnes
Students cannot only go on field trips, and use technology, but now they can incorporate the two together! The Boston Science Museum is an example of this accomplishment. This museum was designed to be highly interactive. In this case, animals (monkeys, and hens) were on display. There were computer type stations where students could learn about the exhibits. While watching the exhibits, they could also press a button that would educate them more about the animals, habitats, and behaviors. During this study, they found that students who used interactive software increased their time at the exhibit, and also increased brain on the exhibit. Podcasts in a museum setting can be used to alleviate isolation by encouraging collaboration and interaction with others. By having a successful podcasts, this should increase a student’s time at the exhibit. It is designed to get the students more interested. These authors chose podcasts because it is something that everybody can use. It is not too difficult, but is also a tool to enhance learning. By using podcasts in museums, students can increase their interaction, enhance their engagement, and also customize their learning experience.
I think this is a great way for students to interact with not only certain exhibits, but also each other. The idea of a podcast makes the student feel more comfortable. They are customizing their learning experience to their own pace and desire. This way, they get what they want out of the field trip. These days, kids get so bored very easily, and I believe that podcasts are a great way to keep students engaged, and they also can get more valuable information out of exhibits that the teacher or museum guide could not tell them.
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I think having podcast available at a museum is simialar to what we have already. There are reocrdings of each station you stop at. I think the next step in technology should be directed toward outside wonders. Places like Macchu Picchu and Chichenitza, Mexico. The wonders of the world do not have small burbs of info at every building, just gigantic creations. If we could incorporate podcasts here next, we would educate many people that tune out with in the first ten minutes of a tour guide explanation. This step in taking the museum podcasts from recordings to the digital age is great, however, I look forward to seeing the next step in discovering ancient wonders!
ReplyDeleteI agree, these podcasts are a great way for students to learn the information and have fun doing it.
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