ERIC Number: EJ957368
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1038-2046
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Available Date: N/A
Lessons from Learner Experiences in a Field-Based Inquiry in Geography Using Mobile Devices
Chang, Chew-Hung; Chatterjea, Kalyani; Goh, Dion Hoe-Lian; Theng, Yin Leng; Lim, Ee-Peng; Sun, Aixin; Razikin, Khasfariyati; Kim, Thi Nhu Quynh; Nguyen, Quang Minh
International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, v21 n1 p41-58 2012
Geographical inquiry involves collecting, using and making sense of the data to investigate some geographical phenomena. With the increasing number of mobile devices equipped with Internet access capabilities, there is a wide scope for using it in field inquiry where learning can take place in the form of social interactions between team members while performing a common task. The authors examine the use of MobiTOP (Mobile Tagging of Objects and People), a geospatial digital library system which allows users to contribute and share multimedia annotations via mobile devices, within a geographical field inquiry. A key feature of MobiTOP that is well suited for collaborative learning is that annotations are hierarchical, allowing annotations to be annotated by other users to an arbitrary depth. A group of student and teachers involved in an inquiry-based learning activity in geography was instructed to identify rock types and associated landforms by collaborating with each other using the MobiTOP system. A method combining several data collection methods was used. Four main findings on the affordances of the mobile phone, the need for specialized training in using the application with the mobile phone, design considerations of the application and the authentic context of learning with fieldwork are reported. A discussion on the implication of these findings and how mobile technology may be used for geographical field learning are also included in this paper. (Contains 6 figures and 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Geography, Inquiry, Active Learning, Electronic Libraries, Teaching Methods, Handheld Devices, Field Experience Programs, Field Studies, Locational Skills (Social Studies), Electronic Learning, Spatial Ability, Reflection, Observation, Questionnaires, Geographic Information Systems, Technology Uses in Education, Participant Satisfaction, Geology, Learning Experience, Problem Based Learning, Social Networks
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A