1. Digital Resources for Teachers
Laura
Digital Resources for Teachers
Joon-Ho Lee, Devyn McHugh,
Laura Sandford, Bin Zou
Sponsored by the London Science Museum

2. Presentation Overview1
Project Background 2
Project Goal 3
Front-End Research 4
Development 5
Test and Improve
Prototype 1
Prototype 2 6
Recommendations
Laura

3. Project Background Museums provide unique learning opportunities
Freer atmosphere, self-directed learning
Observation/interaction with physical objects
But teachers can struggle with:
Making curriculum links
Engaging students, especially in object-rich galleries
Laura

4. Project Goal
“To develop and evaluate innovative interpretation methods for an object activity for use by Key Stage 3 Science teachers to help them engage their students using mobile technology suitable for an iPad.”
Laura

5. Museum Mission Deepen visitor engagement with historic collections
Bridge the gap between classroom and museum learning styles
Help teachers while visiting the museum
Engage students
Create meaningful learning experiences
Teach confidently
Laura
This is WHY we’re aiming to complete our project goal, as stated previously  what the museum hopes to get out of our project

6. Objective 1: Front-End Research
Goals
To understand current technologies used in museums
To understand learning in the museum environment
To understand teacher and student behaviour in museums
Preliminary Stage
Archival research
Interviews via and telephone
Observations at Boston Science Museum
On-site
Training with Hannah Clipson
Observations of KS3 school groups
Teacher training course JH

7. Objective 2: Develop Prototype
How can we meet the Science Museum’s design criteria and choose an interface to easily share our application with teachers? How can we choose relevant, interesting content to include in the application to meet the needs and expectations of teachers? JH
New media helped us with development

8. Interfaces of Development1
Preparatory Stage 2
Prototype Development JH
Prep stage: Mention Skype & Blogger (how we began development  used sponsors’ expertise)
Why we chose PPT – not because lack of knowledge of Apple products/compatibility (hyperlinks, could use with PCs, easier to share in the future)
Note that each stage influenced what we included for content and how we could display it 3
Prototype Implementation

9. Developing Content What to include How to organize How to navigate
Objects
KS3 subjects
Tutorial
Map
How to organize
By objects
By topics
How to navigate
Object Information, Visual Aids, Activities, Discussion Questions JH
Objects & KS3 subjects – how we chose which ones to include & why
Why we chose to include tutorial & map
Why we organized by objects first, then both objects & topics
How the 4 options were developed from the ScM’s criteria for content

10. Prototype 1 Structure JH
Prototype 1 skeleton based on suggestions from the New Media team

11. Objective 3: Test and Improve
Why test?
To receive direct feedback on teachers’ wants and needs from a digital resource
To determine how effective our prototype is at addressing these expectations
Methodology of formative testing for both prototypes
Development of aims and objectives
Qualitative testing questionnaire
Accompanied visits in MMW
Data coding, entry, and analysis
Devyn
Why we chose accompanied visits over observations, focus groups, etc.
Data analysis led to findings and improvements

12. Prototype 1: Aims and Objectives
Usability
Ease of navigation, simplicity, ease of use
Can teachers successfully navigate and use the app?
Engagement
Understanding, likes and dislikes
Do teachers understand and enjoy the application?
Motivation
Effectiveness, helpfulness
Is the app a tool that teachers want to use?
Devyn
First step in P1 testing
How we decided to choose these objectives  we wanted to test the fundamentals of the app, how well it worked overall

13. Prototype 1: Successes Usability Engagement Motivation Content
“If I can use it, then anyone can!”
“It's pretty self-explanatory once you get the hang of it.”
Engagement
“It’s a good way to motivate students; it brings science to the students' level.”
Motivation
“[The app] gives me ideas to start planning. It encourages me to use this gallery because it provides information on-hand.”
Content
“Teachers need to have an aim in mind when visiting a museum, otherwise it’s just a nice day out.”
Devyn
Usability: The app is a simply designed, easy to use tool
Engagement: Teachers understand and enjoy the app
Motivation: The app is an effective resource that teachers are motivated to use on future school group visits
Content: There app presents clear links to the KS3 National Curriculum

14. Prototype 1: Barriers Usability Engagement Motivation Content
Confused by the ‘Objects’ path—many prefer ‘Topics’ option
Map and tab features can be confusing
Engagement
Visual aids are difficult to share with large student groups
Motivation
Teachers feel they need time to prepare before using the app
Teachers do not read the tutorial, but want access to the information
Content
Teachers want supplemental material during and after their Science Museum visits
Devyn

15. Prototype 1: Improvements
Design
Tutorial made into a step-by-step process
Revision of home page
Clarified features of map
Tab feature removed
Content
Zoom option and a clearer label added to more pictures
Discussion questions ranked on a scale of difficulty
Bin
Improvements mainly related to usability
*Where we will show both iPads for comparison*
Show tutorial, home page, maps, Stephenson home page
Led to new prototype skeleton

16. Prototype 2 Structure JH
Prototype 2 skeleton based on findings from Prototype 1 testing

17. Prototype 2: Aims and Objectives
Content
Relevance of object information, visual aids, activities, and discussion questions
Is the content appropriate for a range of KS3 students’ ages and abilities?
Engagement
Students’ understanding and enjoyment
Will students be engaged in and learn from the app’s content?
Usability
Ease of navigation, simplicity, ease of use
Can teachers successfully navigate and use the app?
Bin

18. Prototype 2: Successes Content Engagement Usability
“Having access to activities at your fingertips is brilliant.”
"Oh yeah, cool. I didn't think about that."
Engagement
“The more information I know, the more engaged the students will be.”
“Making personal connections [through object information] makes the content more relevant and important to them.”
Usability
“It’s clear, easy to navigate. There’s lots of good information and it’s well presented.”
Bin
Content: Having the app
Engagement: The amount and range of information allows a teacher to better engage their students
Usability:

19. Prototype 2: Barriers Content Engagement Usability
Material is geared towards higher level students and would likely be too challenging for those of lower ability
Engagement
Interest in the app’s different features is influenced by the age and level of students
The wide range of student abilities makes it difficult for a teacher to share the app’s content
Usability
Navigation using the home and back buttons can be challenging
Teachers struggle to orient themselves using the gallery map
Bin

20. Objective 4 – Recommendations
Usability
Choose an interface most compatible with iPads
Avoid confusion by clarifying home page options
Remove extraneous features
Improve various design aspects
Clarify map, improve tutorial, simplify navigation buttons JH

21. Objective 4 – Recommendations
Engagement
Allow teachers access to prototype content pre-visit to ensure:
An understanding of the app’s purpose and functions
The opportunity to plan lessons and prepare students
Develop content-based materials for sessions post-visit
Motivation
Use an interface that utilizes iPad capabilities or augmented reality
Provide pre-made materials (worksheets, booklets, etc.) for the museum visit
Devyn, Laura
Engagement:
Post-visit activities should be more hands-on
Access to prototype pre-visit could include purpose and tutorial
Could be via or ScM website through Word Doc or PPT (if not the app itself)

22. Objective 4 – Recommendations
Content
Organize each section by order of difficulty in accordance with National Curriculum levels
Ensure the app’s content is kept up-to-date with the current curriculum standards
Development of content should be aided by KS3 teachers to ensure:
Relevancy to KS3 curriculum
A range of interesting activities and questions for students of varying abilities
Flexibility within the app’s content
Bin

23. The Future of the App
Continue developing application as a learning resource and evaluating through accompanied visits with teachers and students
Expand application’s content to include more galleries, objects, as well as curriculum topics and years
Explore adapting the app to create a student version or creating similar apps for public use
Ensure app is well advertised so teachers know it is available through the museum JH
*Open up to questions*