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Date: | Thu, 24 Aug 1995 10:54:01 +0800 |
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Jean-Marie O'Donnell requested:
>I am part of a team developing a mechanical interactive for children about
>innovation and creativity. It will form part of a hands-on Art and History
>Resource Centre for children aged between seven and twelve years.
>
>The interactive will introduce both artistic and technological innovation in
>a light-hearted way by focussing on examples of successful inventions or
>creations as well as those that haven't been so successful.
>
>We've been able to come up with a long list of successful creations (from
>technical inventions like the wheel to artistic firsts such as Picasso and
>cubism) but would welcome suggestions of some famous flops - inventions or
>creations that didn't quite make it!
>
>Any suggestions and sources where they can be verified would be very
>gratefully received.
>
>Jean-Marie O'Donnell
>Interpreter, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
>Phone (+64 4) 382-6600 Fax (+64 4) 382 6606
>
>Email [log in to unmask]
Jean:
Here in Perth I have been investigating the learning outcomes of one
specific exhibit, The Quarry, part of the Mitey Science exhibition which
was developed by Investigator science centre in Adelaide. I have mapped
the learning outcomes using the SOLO (Structure of Learning Outcomes)
technique (Biggs) of children of ages 3-6 years on school field trips. The
Quarry is a system of four types of machines which are linked together.
These machines are hand operated elevator, auger, sorter and conveyors
which pass plastic balls between each other. It is based on the highly
successfully Grain Pit exhibit at the Launch Pad, London.
The results for approximately 100 children who we have interviewed after
using the exhibit are very pleasing. We are mapping 4 year old children at
Level 2 of the Australian National Technology Statement by being able to
correctly explain the operation of the machine, whilst a few others are
reaching level three by giving extensions (relating the machine to
something out in the real world). In addition, we had children draw what
they liked after using the MS exhibition. Many children drew the Quarry
and some were able to draw the correct sequence of machines. Interviewing
children about their drawings showed that many understood the machines very
well and many said they liked the exhibit because of all the handles &
wheels you could turn. As many children drew the Quarry it was what
interested them.
Get back to me if you would like to discuss this further. We have very
good evidence that children do achieve specific learning outcomes, which
would be difficult to achieve in a classroom activity. I am still coding
data today!
Best wishes,
Terry
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TERRY McCLAFFERTY (escapee from Darwin, Northern Territory..Outback Australia)
Doctoral Research Fellow
National Key Centre for Science and Mathematics Education
Curtin University of Technology
GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6001
Email: [log in to unmask]
FAX: +61 9 351 2503
PHONE: +61 9 351 2989 HOME PHONE: +61 9 313 1819
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