1. MIL-RM Workshop, 14 Dec 2007, WLE, London Mobile phone technology use in school science enquiry indoors and out-of-doors; implications for pedagogy Susan Johnson Institute of Education s.johnson@ioe.ac.uk s.johnson@ioe.ac.uk

2. MIL-RM Workshop, 14 Dec 2007, WLE, London 2 Context 4 schools participated in the PlaSciGardens – EU funded project June 2006 and 2007 scientific enquiry indoors and out-of-doors at Kew Gardens children (9-10 year olds) organised in small groups Objectives Aid engagement Children using meaningful investigative skills Data collecting options; camera, audio recording, texting and a call-up from an information store. Pedagogy relevant to management of whole classes out of doors Introduction

3. MIL-RM Workshop, 14 Dec 2007, WLE, London 3 Research questions What conceptual understanding did children gain during scientific enquiry indoors and out-of- doors using MPT? How can teachers pedagogy be changed from offering desk bound, passive learning of facts and concepts to science enquiry and argumentation in groups?

4. MIL-RM Workshop, 14 Dec 2007, WLE, London 4 Research design Groups placed vegetable specimens in family boxes. Compared each collection with plants growing in order beds and Kew students allotments. MPT contributions placed in a linear gallery as children contributed data. Tool Nokia phone, (excluding call functions) with camera, audio recording, texting and a call-up from an information store, data collecting options. Methods Children shared a phone (social/ argumentation interaction). Used the functions as they wished (independence). collected data at will (independence) Data sent to the OOKL website (potential for reflection ). Research methodology

5. MIL-RM Workshop, 14 Dec 2007, WLE, London 5 Audio recordings 16. We have discovered that tomatoes and deadly nightshade are in the same family because of the shape of the actual plant [flowers?] (fact) 17. The flowers are very similar to a courgette flower but much, much…the courgette flower is absolutely huge. (fact & reflection) 22. Tomatoes are very juicy and are not vegetables they are actually a fruit, so if you see a tomato tell your friends or your mum its a [recording ends – fruit?] (fact) 25. We have decided to take out the squash/pumpkin because of the scale of the flower and the look of the flower. (reflection) 30. We have kept the pepper, chilli and the tomatoes. (reflection) Research methodology

6. MIL-RM Workshop, 14 Dec 2007, WLE, London 6 Critique/ reflections Issues This research was a secondary to other project partners objectives i.e. Kew organised the day; Data collection relied on plants being available (co- operation of botanic gardens); Collaboration (teachers criteria for grouping); Grouping influences fine detail of data analysis; Helpers eager to tell children what to record (better briefing essential); Visit facilitators must hold constructivist attitudes to learning with MPT (BG CPD using MPT vital); Reporting: in EU project final report – potential for change?

7. MIL-RM Workshop, 14 Dec 2007, WLE, London 7 Critique/ reflections What worked Recall of a science investigation MPT functions related to pedagogical outcomes that can be achieved without the teacher. Eg. Call-up information: allows children to discover knowledge about a plant while standing next to it. They can observe characteristics mentioned themselves; is written by plant experts; overcomes teachers lack of knowledge; can (if well constructed) prompt further activities.

8. MIL-RM Workshop, 14 Dec 2007, WLE, London 8 Critique/ reflections What didnt work teachers did not access OOKL website (http://www.ookl.org.uk) at school – their own technophobia + underestimation of childrens ability with technology?http://www.ookl.org.uk disregard for pedagogical outcomes: childrens ownership of contributions, their scientific understanding and misconceptions. they did not use the data for assessing learning

9. MIL-RM Workshop, 14 Dec 2007, WLE, London 9 Critique/ reflections Recommendation Teachers will need CPD with access to tools that support childrens engagement and conceptual understanding and experience of: group work out-of-doors; investigation and inductive reasoning; information collection and organisation; argumentation and reflection to clarify understanding; and positive reinforcement to show children can work independently

10. MIL-RM Workshop, 14 Dec 2007, WLE, London 10 Critique/ reflections Open questions