Bob Hirshon, program director for the Education Directorate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), discussed AAAS’ and kajeet’s Active Explorer, funded by Wireless Reach.
Active Explorer is a web-based learning platform that uses smart phones and mobile broadband connectivity, provided by kajeet, to engage children in collecting, interpreting, and sharing science-related data, increase interest in science, and give students 21st-century skills in the process. Teachers and students in grades four and seven at four Washington, D.C.-area schools are integrating Active Explorer into their classrooms and after-school programs as part of an extensive evaluation of whether technology can affect learning and motivation.
“Students participating in these explorations … are building knowledge independently, rather than acquiring it solely from a book or exercise,” said Hirshon. “Just as important, they then access the data they collected, interpret [these data], and choose from a palette of creative tools to share their discoveries with others. This multi-tiered active learning encompasses a wide range of critical 21st-century skills.”
To put that concept to the test, an evaluation of the Active Explorer program is under way, with eight teachers and 120 students at four Washington, D.C., schools using Android -powered HTC Evo 4G smart phones that use kajeet’s Sentinel platform to manage internet access and allow students to share data and collaborate on projects.
The application guides educators (Leaders) through the creation of exploration assignments (Quests), which are shared with students (Explorers) through their smart phones.
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For example, a teacher could ask students to conduct a survey of an invasive plant and get the students started by providing an information page and photo. Using their smart phones, the students would hunt for the plants within a specific area; document their findings using the phone’s audio, visual, geographical information system (GIS), and GPS capabilities; and answer survey questions, such as whether the plant is growing in the shade or sun and if it’s flowering or not flowering. Students then aggregate their data to create a data set that allows them to interpret and discuss patterns and draw conclusions about the plant in their local environment.
Students and teachers can access the data on any web-enabled computer, whether at school, home, the library, or elsewhere. The student portion of the Active Explorer website includes a set of SmartWork tools that allow Explorers to use their data, photographs, video, and other collected information to make creative presentations, slideshows, videos, books, comics, posters, and other vehicles for sharing what they learned.
For more information about Active Explorer, contact Hirshon at bhirshon@aaas.org or Jill Tecler at kajeet, pr@kajeet.com.
Finally, Tricia Sulpizio Estrada, founder and president of Brighter Future for Beautiful Minds, discussed her company’s creation, Wonkido—a visual organization tool for kids that also helps teach basic social skills.
The Wonkido Animated series teaches children social and life skills important for every day, and each story models correct behavior and teaches lessons for all ages. The Wonkido Visual Organizer allows kids to learn responsibility and independence by managing and organizing their daily activities, assignments, and schedules through a custom designed interface, marking the task as complete or leaving feedback.
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