Abstract
This study explored the impact of interactive e-books on the viewing behaviors of children in science demonstrations at museums. To conduct this study, an interactive e-book on a pendulum experiment was developed and integrated into a physical science demonstration at a museum. Two scientific demonstrations were conducted in this study. The first demonstration was conducted using the conventional science demonstration method, without integrating the interactive e-book into the demonstration. The second was a science demonstration with an integrated interactive e-book. The study analyzed and compared the children’s learning motivation, viewing behaviors, and knowledge gained in both demonstrations. The results showed that the different science demonstrations did not significantly affect the children’s current knowledge gain or learning motivation. However, the sequence analysis revealed that in the conventional science demonstration without the interactive e-book, children were more engaged in observing the science demonstration, experiment, and instrument operation and interacting with neighboring viewers. In contrast, in the science demonstration with the integration of the interactive e-book, children had more physical involvement, including pointing at the answers in the e-book, swinging their arms with the pendulum animation, and nodding when confused about the expected results. In addition, the children who joined the demonstration with the interactive e-book made more attempts to learn about procedural knowledge. These results demonstrated that both learning modes have similar learning effects on children, indicating the feasibility of the two learning modes. Furthermore, the results revealed that children’s needs might differ when engaged in different modes of science demonstrations; for example, conventional modes need more support from companions, whereas e-book modes need more children’s physical participation.
Similar content being viewed by others
Availability of Data and Material
The analyzed data can be provided upon requests via sending e-mails to the corresponding author.
References
Abdullah, M. A. (2022). Using the educational tablet: An evaluation study of teachers’ and pupils’ views in Egyptian primary schools. Education and Information Technologies, 27(6), 8771–8792. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-10958-0
Austin, S. R. P., & Sullivan, M. (2019). How are we performing? Evidence for the value of science shows. International Journal of Science Education Part B-Communication and Public Engagement, 9(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/21548455.2018.1532620
Bakeman, R., & Quera, V. (1992). SDIS: A sequential data interchange standard. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, and Computers, 24, 554–559.
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice- Hall Inc.
Beeler, N., Ziegler, E., Volz, A., Navarini, A. A., & Kapur, M. (2023). The effects of procedural and conceptual knowledge on visual learning. Advances in Health Sciences Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-023-10304-0
Boschman, F., McKenney, S., & Voogt, J. (2015). Exploring teachers’ use of TPACK in design talk: The collaborative design of technology-rich early literacy activities. Computers & Education, 82, 250–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2014.11.010
Burns, T. W., O’Connor, D. J., & Stocklmayer, S. M. (2003). Science communication: A contemporary definition. Public Understanding of Science, 12(2), 183–202.
Burvill, S., Owens, S., & Organ, K. (2022). The digital explosion: It’s impact on international student achievement. International Journal of Management Education, 20(1). Article 100585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2021.100585
Castro, K. M. D. S. A., Amado, T. F., Bidau, C. J., & Martinez, P. A. (2022). Studying natural history far from the museum: The impact of 3D models on teaching, learning, and motivation. Journal of Biological Education, 56(5), 598–608. https://doi.org/10.1080/00219266.2021.1877774
Chen, G., Xin, Y. L., & Chen, N. S. (2017). Informal learning in science museum: Development and evaluation of a mobile exhibit label system with iBeacon technology. Etr&d-Educational Technology Research and Development, 65(3), 719–741. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-016-9506-x
Chen, C. H., Chan, W. P., Huang, K., & Liao, C. W. (2022). Supporting informal science learning with metacognitive scaffolding and augmented reality: Effects on science knowledge, intrinsic motivation, and cognitive load. Research in Science & Technological Education, 1–16.
Cheung, O. (2014). Visualizing gas adsorption on porous solids: Four simple, effective demonstrations. Journal of Chemical Education, 91(9), 1468–1472. https://doi.org/10.1021/ed500233v
Chiou, C.-K., Tseng, J. C. R., Hwang, G.-J., & Heller, S. (2010). An adaptive navigation support system for conducting context-aware ubiquitous learning in museums. Computers & Education, 55(2), 834–845. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2010.03.015
Chu, H. C., Hwang, G. J., Tsai, C. C., & Tseng, J. C. (2010). A two-tier test approach to developing location-aware mobile learning systems for natural science courses. Computers & Education, 55(4), 1618–1627.
Dawson, E. (2014). Equity in informal science education: Developing an access and equity framework for science museums and science centres. Studies in Science Education, 50(2), 209–247. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057267.2014.957558
DeKorver, B. K., Choi, M., & Towns, M. (2017). Exploration of a method to assess children’s understandings of a phenomenon after viewing a demonstration show. Journal of Chemical Education, 94(2), 149–156. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.6b00506
Despotakis, T. C., Palaigeorgiou, G. E., & Tsoukalas, I. A. (2007). Students’ attitudes towards animated demonstrations as computer learning tools. Educational Technology & Society, 10(1), 196–205.
Dong, S., Wang, X., Xu, S., Wu, G., & Yin, H. (2011). The development and evaluation of Chinese digital science and technology museum. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 12(1), 111–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2010.10.003
Falk, J. H., & Dierking, L. D. (2012). Lifelong learning for adults: The role of free-choice experiences. In B. Fraser, K. Tobin, & C. J. McRobbie (Eds.), Second international handbook of science education (pp. 1063–1079). London: Springer.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9041-7
Gronemann, S. T. (2017). Portable tablets in science museum learning: Options and obstacles. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 26(3), 309–321. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-016-9680-y
Herianto, W., & I., & Lestari, D. P. (2022). Effect of interactive multimedia e-books on lower-secondary school students’ curiosity in a Science course. Education and Information Technologies, 27(7), 9619–9639. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11005-8
Hou, H. T., & Keng, S. H. (2021). A dual-scaffolding framework integrating peer-scaffolding and cognitive-scaffolding for an augmented reality-based educational board game: An analysis of learners’ collective flow state and collaborative learning behavioral patterns. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 59(3), 547–573. Article 0735633120969409. https://doi.org/10.1177/0735633120969409
Howell, A. A., Jordan, M., McKelvy, M., Wahi-Singh, B., & Shadmany, H. (2023). The science of science is fun: Assessing the impact of interactive science demonstrations through everyday experiences and near-peer role modeling. International Journal of Science Education, 45(5), 405–429. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2022.2164473
Hsiao, C. C., Tiao, M. M., & Chen, C. C. (2016). Using interactive multimedia e-Books for learning blood cell morphology in pediatric hematology. Bmc Medical Education, 16, Article 290. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-016-0816-9
Hwang, G.-J., Tsai, C.-C., Chu, H.-C., Kinshuk, K., & Chen, C.-Y. (2012). A context-aware ubiquitous learning approach to conducting scientific inquiry activities in a science park. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 28(5), 931–947.
Hwang, G. J., Tu, N. T., & Wang, X. M. (2018). Creating interactive e-books through learning by design: The impacts of guided peer-feedback on students’ learning achievements and project outcomes in science courses. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 21(1), 25–36.
Kaldaras, L., Akaeze, H., & Krajcik, J. (2021). Developing and validating Next Generation Science Standards-aligned learning progression to track three-dimensional learning of electrical interactions in high school physical science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 58(4), 589–618.
Kennedy, A. A. U., Thacker, I., Nye, B. D., Sinatra, G. M., Swartout, W., & Lindsey, E. (2021). Promoting interest, positive emotions, and knowledge using augmented reality in a museum setting. International Journal of Science Education Part B-Communication and Public Engagement, 11(3), 242–258. https://doi.org/10.1080/21548455.2021.1946619
Kerby, H. W., DeKorver, B. K., & Cantor, J. (2018). Fusion story form: a novel, hybrid form of story that promotes and assesses concept learning. International Journal of Science Education, 40(14), 1774–1794. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2018.1512172
Khan, M. A., Israr, S., Almogren, A. S., Din, I. U., Almogren, A., & Rodrigues, J. J. (2021). Using augmented reality and deep learning to enhance Taxila Museum experience. Journal of Real-Time Image Processing, 18(2), 321–332.
Krathwohl, D. R. (2002). A revision of Bloom’s taxonomy: An overview. Theory into Practice, 41(4), 212–218.
Kumar, D., & Dunn, J. (2018). Self reflections of undergraduate students on using web-supported counterintuitive science demonstrations. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 27(4), 362–368. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-018-9729-1
Li, L. Y., Chen, G. D., & Yang, S. J. (2013). Construction of cognitive maps to improve e-book reading and navigation. Computers & Education, 60(1), 32–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.07.010
Li, J., Ma, F. Z., Wang, Y. N., Lan, R. X., Zhang, Y. R., & Dai, X. T. (2020). Pre-school children’s behavioral patterns and performances in learning numerical operations with a situation-based interactive e-book. Interactive Learning Environments, 28(2), 148–165. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2019.1636085
Liaw, S. S., & Huang, H. M. (2016). Investigating learner attitudes toward e-books as learning tools: Based on the activity theory approach. Interactive Learning Environments, 24(3), 625–643. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2014.915416
Like, C., Morgan, J., Escalada, L., & Burns, L. (2019). Teaching phenomena with NGSS–A complete unit. The Physics Teacher, 57(3), 152–156.
Liu, C.-L., & Lai, C.-L. (2023). An exploration of instructional behaviors of a teacher in a mobile learning context. Teaching and Teacher Education, 121, 103954. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2022.103954
Maricic, M., Cvjeticanin, S., & Andic, B. (2019). Teacher-demonstration and student hands-on experiments in teaching integrated sciences. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 18(5), 768–779. https://doi.org/10.33225/jbse/19.18.768
Mayer, R. E., & Moreno, R. (1998). A cognitive theory of multimedia learning: Implications for design principles. Journal of Educational Psychology, 91(2), 358–368.
Maynard, S. (2010). The impact of e-books on young children’s reading habits. Publishing Research Quarterly, 26(4), 236–248.
McCrory, P. (2013). In defence of the classroom science demonstration. School Science Review, 95(350), 81–87.
Mifsud, C. L., Georgieva, R., & Kucirkova, N. (2021). Parent-child joint reading of digital books in bilingual families in Malta. International Journal of Educational Research, 109, Article 101844. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2021.101844
Milne, C., & Otieno, T. (2007). Understanding engagement: Science demonstrations and emotional energy. Science Education, 91(4), 523–553.
Nachar, N. (2008). The Mann-Whitney U: A test for assessing whether two independent samples come from the same distribution. Tutorials in Quantitative Methods for Psychology, 4, 13–20. https://doi.org/10.20982/tqmp.04.1.p013
Nelson, B. C., Bowman, C. D., Bowman, J. D., Pérez Cortés, L. E., Adkins, A., Escalante, E., & Su, M. (2020). Ask Dr. Discovery: The impact of a casual mobile game on visitor engagement with science museum content. Educational Technology Research and Development, 68, 345–362.
Peng, H., Su, Y. J., Chou, C., & Tsai, C. C. (2009). Ubiquitous knowledge construction: Mobile learning re-defined and a conceptual framework. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 46(2), 171–183.
Potvin, P., & Hasni, A. (2014). Interest, motivation and attitude towards science and technology at K-12 levels: A systematic review of 12 years of educational research. Studies in Science Education, 50(1), 85–129.
Price, C. A., Gean, K., & Barnes, H. (2015a). The effect of live interpretation with theater on attitudes and learning of children in the mythbusters exhibit. Journal of Museum Education, 40(2), 195–206.
Price, C. A., Lee, H.-S., Subbarao, M., Kasal, E., & Aguilera, J. (2015b). Comparing short- and long-term learning effects between stereoscopic and two-dimensional film at a planetarium. Science Education, 99(6), 1118–1142. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21185
Rainey, K., Dancy, M., Mickelson, R., Stearns, E., & Moller, S. (2018). Race and gender differences in how sense of belonging influences decisions to major in STEM. International Journal of STEM Education, 5, 1–14.
Reiser, B. J., Novak, M., McGill, T. A., & Penuel, W. R. (2021). Storyline units: An instructional model to support coherence from the students’ perspective. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 32(7), 805–829.
Rose, T. M. (2018). Lessons learned using a demonstration in a large classroom of pharmacy students. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 82(9), 1081–1085, Article 6413.
Serrell, B. (2015). Exhibit labels: An interpretive approach (2nd ed.). Rowman & Littlefield.
Stocklmayer, S., Rennie, L., & Gilbert, J. K. (2010). The roles of the formal and informal sectors in the provision of effective science education. Studies in Science Education, 46, 1–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057260903562284
Sumers, T. R., Ho, M. K., Hawkins, R. D., & Griffiths, T. L. (2023). Show or tell? Exploring when (and why) teaching with language outperforms demonstration. Cognition, 232, Article 105326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2022.105326
Sung, H. Y., Hwang, G. J., & Yen, Y. F. (2015). Development of a contextual decision-making game for improving students’ learning performance in a health education course. Computers & Education, 82, 179–190.
Sung, H. Y., Hwang, G. J., Chen, C. Y., & Liu, W. X. (2022). A contextual learning model for developing interactive e-books to improve students’ performances of learning the Analects of Confucius. Interactive Learning Environments, 30(3), 470–483.
Tlili, A., Zhao, J. L., Yang, K. D., Wang, Y. P., Bozkurt, A., Huang, R. H., Bonk, C. J., & Ashraf, M. A. (in press). Going beyond books to using e-books in education: A systematic literature review of empirical studies. Interactive Learning Environments. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2022.2141786
Tsai, P. S., Tsai, C. C., & Hwang, G. J. (2012). Developing a survey for assessing preferences in constructivist context-aware ubiquitous learning environments. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 28(3), 250–264.
Tsuei, M., Cheng, S. F., & Huang, H. W. (2020). The effects of a peer-tutoring strategy on children’s e-book reading comprehension. South African Journal of Education, 40(2), 1–12.
Tuan, H. L., Chin, C. C., & Shieh, S. H. (2005). The development of a questionnaire to measure students’ motivation towards science learning. International Journal of Science Education, 27(6), 639–654. https://doi.org/10.1080/0950069042000323737
Tuckey, C. J. (1992). Schoolchildren’s reactions to an interactive science center. Curator, 35(1), 28.
Wang, X., & Liu, Y. (2022). Engaging K–8 preservice science teachers through an NGSS-based climate change project. Journal of Chemical Education, 99(3), 1287–1295.
Wellington, J. (1990). Formal and informal learning in science: The role of the interactive science centres. Physics Education, 25(5), 247–252.
White, C. (1995). Autonomy and strategy use in distance foreign language learning: Research findings. System, 23(2), 207–221.
Xu, W., Dai, T.-T., Shen, Z.-Y., & Yao, Y.-J. (2021). Effects of technology application on museum learning: A meta-analysis of 42 studies published between 2011 and 2021. Interactive Learning Environments, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2021.1976803
Yang, C. C., Hwang, G. J., Hung, C. M., & Tseng, S. S. (2013). An evaluation of the learning effectiveness of concept map-based science book reading via mobile devices. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 16(3), 167–178.
Yorganci, S. (2022). The interactive e-book and video feedback in a multimedia learning environment: Influence on performance, cognitive, and motivational outcomes. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 38(4), 1005–1017. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12658
Zaharias, P., Michael, D., & Chrysanthou, Y. (2013). Learning through multi-touch interfaces in museum exhibits: An empirical investigation. Educational Technology & Society, 16(3), 374–384.
Zhao, J., Hwang, G. J., Chang, S. C., Yang, Q. F., & Nokkaew, A. (2021). Effects of gamified interactive e-books on students’ flipped learning performance, motivation, and meta-cognition tendency in a mathematics course. Etr&d-Educational Technology Research and Development, 69(6), 3255–3280. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-021-10053-0
Zheng, J., Xing, W., & Zhu, G. (2019). Examining sequential patterns of self- and socially shared regulation of STEM learning in a CSCL environment. Computers & Education, 136, 34–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.03.005
Zhou, J., Li, X., & Gong, X. (2022). Parental phubbing and internet gaming addiction in children: Mediating roles of parent–child relationships and depressive symptoms. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 25(8), 512–517.
Funding
This study is supported in part by the National Science and Technology Council of Taiwan under contract number NSTC 111–2410-H-152 -006 -MY2. In addition, the project “Intelligent Public Service & Education for All—Technology Innovation Services for National Museums and Libraries” also supported the study.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Conceptualization: Hsiang-Wei Chen and Chiu-Lin Lai; methodology: Zi-Ning Huang, Chiu-Lin Lai, and Hsiang-Wei Chen; formal analysis and investigation: Zi-Ning Huang and Chiu-Lin Lai; writing—original draft preparation: Zi-Ning Huang and Chiu-Lin Lai; writing—review and editing: Zi-Ning Huang, Chiu-Lin Lai, and Hsiang-Wei Chen. In addition, the authors would like to thank Hou-Chun Kao and Pin-Wei Wang for their assistance in conducting the science demonstrations.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethical Approval
All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
Informed Consent
Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interests.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Huang, ZN., Chen, HW. & Lai, CL. Analyzing Children’s Viewing Behaviors in Science Demonstrations with and Without Interactive E-Book Support. J Sci Educ Technol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-024-10120-0
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-024-10120-0