Hi Lorna,

Thanks for your questions. In our study, we interviewed children to examine what they learned from using PrototypAR. Children demonstrated their own understandings about complex systems they designed and experimented with. Interestingly, their findings/learning were very different across groups as they explored and tested different aspects of a complex system. We were pleased to see PrototypAr provides a kind of learn-centered environment where children can address their unique interests and deepen understanding. However, our study is limited in that we did not measure children's (improved) understandings before and after the activity nor compare our results with other methods of learning. 

Hi Gerad,

Thank you for your interest. We conducted two studies as part of afterschool STEM programs in two local facilities. During the study, two or three children worked together as equal partners to design and experiment with PrototypAR and an adult facilitator helped them use the system. 

Thanks, Seokbin. How do you imagine PrototypeAR will be implemented after this research phase? Is this small group with adult mediation the intended implementation? Do you see this as an after or out of school enrichment activity or something that could be scaled up for classroom use?

Thanks,

Gerad

Thank you for your interest, Feng.

We did a post-activity survey that examines children engagement with the system, a likert scale question used, and follow up on why they liked or disliked the system and the activity in the interview. Because this project was exploratory and completed, we do not yet have a plan to assess student knowledge gain. 

Thanks Joanne!

Thanks Nancy!

Hi Debra,

A very insightful comment because we actually found this very thing during our formative and pilot studies (before the deployment study). So, we actually brought a physical DSLR camera with us and demonstrated it as part of the introductory material to the session. I think this helped. But you're right that the representation is important. Ultimately, we chose the DSLR because the components are larger and more modular, so "easier" to design.

Jon