Citizen Inquiry: A Synergy of Inquiry Learning, Online Social Networking

and Citizen Science

Maria Aristeidou , Eileen Scanlon, Mike SharplesInstitute of Educational Technology

The Open University

Outline

• Problem definition• Background• Aim of the research• Research question• Methodology• Pilot study• What’s next?

• Lack of scientific literacy:– 56% of the citizens in the U.K. do not feel

informed about science. – 32% of citizens report that they do not feel clever

enough to understand science and technology • Need for involving citizens in a more end-to-

end manner

Problem Definition

Problem Definition Background Aim of the

researchResearch Question Methodology Pilot study What’s next

Background - I

Problem Definition Background Aim of the

researchResearch Question Methodology Pilot study What’s next

• Inquiry-based learning:– Learning science by doing scientific work– Engagement of learners in the processes of

science – Knowledge as isolated facts that have nothing to

do with the real world• Personal Inquiry project (nQuire)– www.pi-project.ac.uk

•Tools•Communicatio

n

•School based•Personal

Inquiries•Inquiry process

• Citizen Science:– “Volunteers partner with scientists to answer real-

world questions” (Citizen Science Central, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2013).

– Aim: to produce more science– Volunteers involved in data collection/analysis– Powerful tool for public education– Examples of well-known Citizen Science projects

Background - II

Problem Definition Background Aim of the

researchResearch Question Methodology Pilot study What’s next

Citizens adding observations, images and locations to iSpot (right)http://www.ispot.org.uk/

Citizens classifying galaxies in Galaxy Zoo (left)http://www.galaxyzoo.org/

Aim of the research

• “Citizen Inquiry”: New approach to technology-mediated science: – Facilitates citizens to run their own

investigation– Combines Inquiry-based Learning and Citizen

Science– Supported by web-based inquiry environment

Problem Definition Background Aim of the

researchResearch Question Methodology Pilot study What’s next

Research Question

• Can amateur scientists engage in successful inquiry based learning through– Peer collaboration– Mentoring by experts in – Informal settings

Problem Definition Background Aim of the

researchResearch Question Methodology Pilot study What’s next

• Design-based research method:– Sequence of design-studies–Qualitative and quantitative research – Analyses the interactions of participants with

the technology, the activities and the other participants.

• Design-study #1: Pilot study

Methodology

Problem Definition Background Aim of the

researchResearch Question Methodology Pilot study What’s next

• Expert and Amateur Geologists• Online platform nQuire• Rock Investigations• Data collection:– Questionnaires, System Usability Scale, published

investigations, Online focus group discussion, online and face-to-face interviews

Problem Definition Background Aim of the

researchResearch Question Methodology Pilot study What’s next

Inquiry Results

Inquiry Diagram

nQuire Forum

What’s next?• Data analysis:– Engagement with the inquiry process– Forms of engagement– Types and use of support– Effectiveness of nQuire tools

• Understanding of citizens’ engagement in online scientific investigation– Re-design of pedagogy and technology– Design-study #2

Problem Definition Background Aim of the

researchResearch Question Methodology Pilot study What’s next

Thank you!