Think science!: entertainment education in interactive theaters

In February 2003, the JASON Foundation for Education supportedan interactive show, the Immersion Institutes Exploration: SeaLions, intended to enhance children’s understanding ofscience; it played at three different theaters throughout the US.The production, provided by Immersion Studios Inc., involved about2000 students, mostly from ages 9 to 14. During the two-week event,a random sample of students and their teachers participated in anassessment of the show, including aspects of usability,entertainment experience, and impact on learning. About a monthlater, a follow-up was undertaken to complete the evaluation. Results demonstrate that the show was highly appreciated by boththe participating students and teachers: The usability aspect ofthe show was satisfying; the technology was found to be suitablefor all age groups involved, and the entertainment experience wasclearly intense. Students reported a high learning impact; thisopinion was reinforced by the teachers. The follow-up results,however, did not provide proof of long-lasting recall of factsembedded in the show. But it did provide some surprising evidencethat students gained detailed knowledge about show-related facts,raising the question whether such a show can be used to makestudents become more interested in a topic.

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