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Learning about science with parents : Developing an Educational Program for Scientific Experiments Using Cell Phones

Nakahara, J., Yamaguchi, E., Nishimori, T., Mochizuki, T., Nakano, M., Furuta, Y., Sekine, S., Ofusa, J., Takikawa, Y. & Yamauchi, Y. (2008). Learning about science with parents : Developing an Educational Program for Scientific Experiments Using Cell Phones. In J. Luca & E. Weippl (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2008 (pp. 203-211). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
Retrieved from http://www.editlib.org/p/28395.

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Conference Information

EDMEDIA

World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications (EDMEDIA) 2008
Vienna, Austria
June 30, 2008
ISBN 1-880094-65-7
  Joseph Luca & Edgar R. Weippl
AACE

More Information on EDMEDIA


Authors

Jun Nakahara, The University of Tokyo, Japan; Etsuji Yamaguchi, Miyazaki University, Japan; Toshihisa Nishimori, Toshio Mochizuki, The University of Tokyo, Japan; Mai Nakano, Bennese Corporation, Japan; Yutaka Furuta, Rikkyo Niiza junior high school, Japan; Seiji Sekine, Spiceworks, Inc, Japan; Junichi Ofusa, Tama art university, Japan; Yoji Takikawa, Yuhei Yamauchi, The University of Tokyo, Japan

Abstract

We have developed a hands-on science educational program for forth and fifth grade elementary school children and their parents in which they have conducted a series of science experiments. The name of the program is “Oyako de Science: Learning about Science with Parents (in short: OYAKO).” The subject “light” was taught for three weeks. At first, a child and his parent attended a workshop. Next, the child conducted science experiments on his own at home. Finally the child and parent together did experiments at home. The learning tool indispensable to OYAKO is the cell phone. The cell phone informs the child about the procedures of the experiment. Using the cell phone, the child takes a short quiz to check his understanding. The other role of the cell phone is in enhancing “the engagement of parents in their child’s learning.” The cell phone makes it possible for parents to participate in their children’s science education. The cell phone will provide information about what and when the child is doing the experiment and how well they have understood.

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