Abstract
This article explores the use of wearable cameras with children as a data collection means to engage young children as active researchers in recording their experiences in natural environments. This method captures children’s unique perspectives of being-in-the-world, depicting what they see, hear, say, touch, and their interactions with others. In this paper, this method is called Sensory Tours, informed by the tradition of walking tours used in environmental education. It is a nonintrusive means of collecting data, providing children with control over what data they collect, and removing the need for an adult researcher with a video camera propping and prodding over children’s day-to-day activities. In this paper, the advantages, challenges, and opportunities of wearable cameras are evaluated and illustrated through the video records made by children. The method provides opportunities for subsequent video-stimulated group discussions and other interactive activities that can enrich understandings of children’s lived experiences. Sensory Tours provide a means for children to analyze, reconstruct, and interpret salient aspects of their experiences in discussions with peers and adults.
Résumé
Cet article explore l’utilisation de caméras portables avec des enfants comme un moyen de collecte de données pour impliquer les jeunes enfants comme chercheurs actifs dans l’enregistrement de leurs expériences dans des environnements naturels. Cette méthode capte les perspectives uniques aux enfants d’être dans le monde, décrivant ce qu’ils voient, entendent, disent, touchent, ainsi que leurs interactions avec les autres. Dans cet article, cette méthode est appelée «visites sensorielles», éclairée par la tradition des visites à pied utilisées en éducation à l’environnement. C’est un moyen non intrusif de collecte de données, donnant aux enfants un contrôle sur les données qu’ils cueillent, et supprimant le besoin d’un chercheur adulte par le support d’une caméra vidéo pour observer les activités quotidiennes des enfants. Dans cet article, les avantages, les défis et les possibilités des caméras portables sont évalués et illustrés à l’aide des enregistrements vidéo réalisés par les enfants. La méthode fournit des opportunités de discussions de groupe stimulées par les vidéos et d’autres activités interactives subséquentes qui peuvent enrichir la compréhension des expériences vécues par les enfants. Les visites sensorielles donnent aux enfants un moyen d’analyser, reconstruire et interpréter les aspects saillants de leurs expériences dans des discussions avec les pairs et les adultes.
Resumen
Este artículo explora el uso de cámaras portátiles con niños/as como un método para recolectar información y para animarlos a desempeñar el papel de investigadores participantes en la documentación de sus experiencias en los entornos naturales. Este método capta las perspectivas de los niños y las niñas, de la manera en la cual ellos/as sienten y perciben su entorno, transmite lo que ellos/as ven, oyen, dicen, y tocan en sus interacciones con otras personas. En este artículo, este método se denomina Recorridos Sensoriales, el cual se apoya en el método de Recorridos Activos utilizados en la educación ambiental. Este es un método no invasivo para recabar información que le otorga control a los niños y niñas, sobre el tipo de información a recolectar, igualmente elimina la participación de un investigador adulto con cámara en mano guiando y orientando a los niños/as en sus actividades diarias. En este artículo se evalúan e ilustran las ventajas, retos, y oportunidades de las cámaras portátiles a través de las grabaciones de video hechas por los niños. Este método ofrece oportunidades de aplicación en discusiones grupales estimuladas por video y en otras actividades interactivas que pueden enriquecer la comprensión de las experiencias vividas por los niños. Los Recorridos Sensoriales les dan oportunidades a los niños/as para que analicen, reconstruyan e interpreten aspectos significativos de sus experiencias en diálogos con sus compañeros/as y con adultos.
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Acknowledgments
The research project highlighted in this paper was supported by Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity (URSA) funds at the University of Alaska Fairbanks as well as support from Alaska EPSCoR NSF award #OIA-1208927 and the State of Alaska.
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Green, C. Sensory Tours as a Method for Engaging Children as Active Researchers: Exploring the Use of Wearable Cameras in Early Childhood Research. IJEC 48, 277–294 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-016-0173-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-016-0173-1