The design, implementation, and evaluation of a digital interactive globe system integrated into an Earth Science course

The aim of this study is to design and implement a digital interactive globe system (DIGS), by integrating low-cost equipment to make DIGS cost-effective. DIGS includes a data processing unit, a wireless control unit, an image-capturing unit, a laser emission unit, and a three-dimensional hemispheric body-imaging screen. A quasi-experimental study was conducted to evaluate the learning effectiveness of our system. A total of 105 junior high-school students from Taiwan participated in this 8-week experiment. The students were divided into three individual groups of 35 students each, with one control group and two experimental groups (EG1 and EG2). The results of one-way mixed design ANOVA indicated that participants in the experimental group, who used the DIGS, outperformed the other two groups, in the post-test as well as in the delayed test. These findings demonstrate that the proposed DIGS can effectively enhance the performance of the learners in an Earth Science course.

[1]  Gail Fitzgerald,et al.  An interactive multimedia program to enhance teacher problem-solving skills based on cognitive flexibility theory: design and outcomes , 1997 .

[2]  C. H. Lawshe.  A QUANTITATIVE APPROACH TO CONTENT VALIDITY , 1975 .

[3]  Frank Fischer,et al.  Fostering the analytical competency of pre-service teachers in a computer-supported case-based learning environment: A matter of perspective? , 2012, Interact. Learn. Environ..

[4]  Todd C. Patterson.  Google Earth as a (Not Just) Geography Education Tool , 2007 .

[5]  Vu Minh Chieu.  An Operational Approach for Building Learning Environments Supporting Cognitive Flexibility , 2007, J. Educ. Technol. Soc..

[6]  J. Michael Spector.  Foundations of Educational Technology: Integrative Approaches and Interdisciplinary Perspectives , 2011 .

[7]  A. Paivio.  Mental Representations: A Dual Coding Approach , 1986 .

[8]  Janet Mannheimer Zydney.  The effect of multiple scaffolding tools on students' understanding, consideration of different perspectives, and misconceptions of a complex problem , 2010, Comput. Educ..

[9]  Rand J. Spiro and Jihn-ChangJehng.  Cognitive Flexibility and Hypertext: Theory and Technology for the Nonlinear and Multidimensional Traversal of Complex Subject Matter , 2012 .

[10]  Terence R. Smith,et al.  Visual Explorations for the Alexandria Digital Earth Prototype , 2002, Visual Interfaces to Digital Libraries.

[11]  D. Jonassen.  Thinking Technology: Toward a Constructivist Design Model , 1994 .

[12]  Richard E. Mayer,et al.  Multimedia Learning , 2001, Visible Learning Guide to Student Achievement.

[13]  Wilson Lowrey,et al.  Online News Media and Advanced Learning: A Test of Cognitive Flexibility Theory , 2009 .

[14]  R. Mayer,et al.  Multimedia Learning: The Promise of Multimedia Learning , 2001 .

[15]  Jianya Gong,et al.  A virtual globe-based 3D visualization and interactive framework for public participation in urban planning processes , 2010, Comput. Environ. Urban Syst..

[16]  Yichun Xie,et al.  Integration of Innovative Technologies for Enhancing Students’ Motivation for Science Learning and Career , 2013, Journal of Science Education and Technology.

[17]  P. Chandler,et al.  Cognitive Load Theory and the Format of Instruction , 1991 .

[18]  Jacob Cohen.  Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences , 1969, The SAGE Encyclopedia of Research Design.

[19]  Margaret D. Roblyer,et al.  Educational Technology Research That Makes a Difference: Series Introduction , 2005 .

[20]  Frank Fischer,et al.  Getting immersed in teacher and student perspectives? Facilitating analytical competence using video cases in teacher education , 2014 .

[21]  Jianzhong Sun,et al.  SolidEarth: a new Digital Earth system for the modeling and visualization of the whole Earth space , 2014, Frontiers of Earth Science.

[22]  Rand J. Spiro,et al.  Cognitive flexibility theory : advanced knowledge acquisition in ill-structured domains , 1988 .

[23]  G. Veletsianos,et al.  An Investigation of the Use of Real-Time, Authentic Geospatial Data in the K–12 Classroom , 2008 .

[24]  Huadong Guo,et al.  Constructing the Digital Earth System , 2008, 2008 Congress on Image and Signal Processing.

[25]  Janet Mannheimer Zydney,et al.  The Use of Video Cases in a Multimedia Learning Environment for Facilitating High School Students’ Inquiry into a Problem from Varying Perspectives , 2011 .

[26]  Rand J. Spiro,et al.  Collaborative Interactivity and Integrated Thinking in Brazilian Business Schools Using Cognitive Flexibility Hypertexts: The Panteon Project , 2004 .

[27]  Dietrich Dörner,et al.  The Logic Of Failure: Recognizing And Avoiding Error In Complex Situations , 1997 .

[28]  Paul J. Feltovich,et al.  Cognitive Flexibility Theory: Hypermedia for Complex Learning, Adaptive Knowledge Application, and Experience Acceleration. , 2003 .

[29]  Emilia Mendes,et al.  The cognitive flexibility theory0: an approach for teaching Hypermedia Engineering , 2001 .

[30]  Todd Edward Keruskin.  THE PERCEPTIONS OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT BY CONDUCTING WALKTHROUGHS , 2005 .

[31]  Chuen-Tsai Sun,et al.  Effects of Thinking Style and Spatial Ability on Anchoring Behavior in Geographic Information Systems , 2013, J. Educ. Technol. Soc..

[32]  Cheryl Tatano Beck,et al.  Is the CVI an acceptable indicator of content validity? Appraisal and recommendations. , 2007, Research in nursing & health.

[33]  Michael J. Jacobson,et al.  Hypertext Learning Environments, Cognitive Flexibility, and the Transfer of Complex Knowledge: an Empirical Investigation Center for the Study of Reading Center for the Study of Reading Hypertext Learning Environments, Cognitive Flexibility, and the Transfer of Complex Knowledge: an Empirical Invest , 2007 .

[34]  Ali Demirci,et al.  How do Teachers Approach New Technologies: Geography Teachers' Attitudes towards Geographic Information Systems (GIS) , 2009 .