1. Redesign of Black Sand Exhibit at Exploratorium Museum ED 229 Huiping Liao Wuping Lu

2. Introduction Museum: Exploratorium Museum: Exploratorium Location: San Francisco, CA Location: San Francisco, CA Time: from 3:10 to 4:30 PM, Oct 21 Time: from 3:10 to 4:30 PM, Oct 21 Exhibit: Black Sand Exhibit: Black Sand

3. Black Sand - Manipulation Magnetic lines of force can be seen and felt Magnetic lines of force can be seen and felt Form images of the magnetic field Form images of the magnetic field Provides a very pleasant and unusual tactile sensation Provides a very pleasant and unusual tactile sensation Magnetic "castles of sand" can also be built Magnetic "castles of sand" can also be built

4. Black Sand - Learning Intended Electromagnetic Forces Electromagnetic Forces Ferromagnetism Ferromagnetism Magnetization Magnetization Perception of Texture Perception of Texture

5. Black Sand - Learning Intended Electromagnetic Forces Electromagnetic Forces Ferromagnetism Ferromagnetism Magnetization Magnetization Perception of Texture Perception of Texture

6. Black Sand - Learning Intended Electromagnetic Forces Electromagnetic Forces Ferromagnetism Ferromagnetism Magnetization Magnetization Perception of Texture Perception of Texture

7. Black Sand - Learning Intended Electromagnetic Forces Electromagnetic Forces Ferromagnetism Ferromagnetism Magnetization Magnetization Perception of Texture Perception of Texture

8. Observation 3:10 Dad and son: 2 minutes (guided by father). 3:10 Dad and son: 2 minutes (guided by father). 3:15 Parents with two sons: around 7 minutes 3:15 Parents with two sons: around 7 minutes 3:23 Mom with two boys and one girl: around 6 minutes 3:23 Mom with two boys and one girl: around 6 minutes 3:30 Two Ladies with shopping bags: 3 minutes. 3:30 Two Ladies with shopping bags: 3 minutes. 3:34 Parents with the son: 8 minutes 3:34 Parents with the son: 8 minutes 3:44 Four Adults (half and half in gender); 3 minutes 3:44 Four Adults (half and half in gender); 3 minutes 3:47 Parents with their daughter: 3:47 Parents with their daughter: 3:58 Mom with daughter: mom with glasses on. Mom play the black Sand with the daughter happily. She build a bridge between the two magnets with her daughter. Then they add more sand on the bridge and shake the bridge a little bit to have pure sand away from the iron sand. Mom keeps talk to her daughter and they seem enjoy playing sand together. 3:58 Mom with daughter: mom with glasses on. Mom play the black Sand with the daughter happily. She build a bridge between the two magnets with her daughter. Then they add more sand on the bridge and shake the bridge a little bit to have pure sand away from the iron sand. Mom keeps talk to her daughter and they seem enjoy playing sand together.

9. Interview Ping: Do you enjoy it? Ping: Do you enjoy it? Rebecca: yes Rebecca: yes P: why? P: why? R: it’s not at school. R: it’s not at school. P: Do you come here with your parents? P: Do you come here with your parents? R: My mum R: My mum P: where is your mum? P: where is your mum? R: She went to get a cup of drink. R: She went to get a cup of drink. P: Do you know what is it? P: Do you know what is it? R: ( read the explanation on the board) yes, its black sand from iron ore, you can find it on the ocean beach. R: ( read the explanation on the board) yes, its black sand from iron ore, you can find it on the ocean beach. P:Any more? P:Any more? R: No. R: No.

10. Summary on Observation and Interview Most of then do not pay much attention on the text explanation; Most of then do not pay much attention on the text explanation; Read through only when bored but have to stay there; Read through only when bored but have to stay there; If with only button to control, no fun, got to touch and play with it for a while If with only button to control, no fun, got to touch and play with it for a while Moms are not attracted that much Moms are not attracted that much No challenge and curiosity (Food for thought thereafter) No challenge and curiosity (Food for thought thereafter)

11. Evaluation Strength Strength ManipulativeManipulative MappingMapping TangibleTangible Weakness Weakness Playing more than learning Lacking strong motivation for real learning Lacking interactivity Not very safe Not clean No individualized

12. Principled Redesign Purpose: elicit real learning Purpose: elicit real learning Learning Theories Employed Learning Theories Employed Primarily based on Contextual Model of Learning (Falk and Dierking)Primarily based on Contextual Model of Learning (Falk and Dierking) Personal Context Personal Context Sociocultural Context Sociocultural Context Physical Context Physical Context Also integrate other learning approaches if appropriate (may overlap)Also integrate other learning approaches if appropriate (may overlap)

13. Principled Redesign – How to Improve Set up a computer terminal (Learning Station) along Black Sand (Play Station) with following features Set up a computer terminal (Learning Station) along Black Sand (Play Station) with following features Learning modules in different areas on various levels – opportunities for choice based on personal experience (personal context of CML, cognitive)Learning modules in different areas on various levels – opportunities for choice based on personal experience (personal context of CML, cognitive) Learning material represented by multimedia (cognitive, media response)Learning material represented by multimedia (cognitive, media response) Assessment after each modules – reinforce learningAssessment after each modules – reinforce learning Searching and FAQs – interactivity, choice and control (personal context of CML)Searching and FAQs – interactivity, choice and control (personal context of CML)

14. Principled Redesign – How to Improve Offer rewardsOffer rewards Motivation by means of coupons to buy relevant books, discounted admission tickets for next visit, or black sand toys based on the result of assessment (personal context of CML, behavioral, motivation) Motivation by means of coupons to buy relevant books, discounted admission tickets for next visit, or black sand toys based on the result of assessment (personal context of CML, behavioral, motivation) Extend learning beyond museumExtend learning beyond museum Coupons and tickets with key learning elements on the other side and toys of black sand – reinforce events and experiences out-side the museum (physical context of CML) Coupons and tickets with key learning elements on the other side and toys of black sand – reinforce events and experiences out-side the museum (physical context of CML)

15. Principled Redesign – How to Improve Improve Environment Improve Environment Use special floor material preventing sliding – safety (physical context of CML)Use special floor material preventing sliding – safety (physical context of CML) Set up a sink for visitors to wash hands – cleanliness and attract more females (physical context of CML)Set up a sink for visitors to wash hands – cleanliness and attract more females (physical context of CML) Use relevant pictures on the wall behind Black Sand (cognitive)Use relevant pictures on the wall behind Black Sand (cognitive)

16. Current Learning Environment

17. Redesigned Learning Environment with Learning Station and Sink Added, Background Pictures Replaced, and Floor Modified

18. Questions? Thanks