PGE/SEP: Gender Differences in the Perception and Use of Informal Science Learning Website

这个项目调查的潜力，以促进理解和兴趣的中学女生之间的科学在一个非正式的科学学习网站称为Whyville。 Whyville为学生提供了一个探索科学现象的环境，与其他学生一起，并参与科学和设计活动。 对目前Whyville用户的初步研究表明，60%以上的用户是女孩，大多数是4-8年级的学生。 由于Whyville是成功地吸引女孩到一个科学为导向的网站，它准备成为一个潜在的强大的工具，激励和教育女孩在science.The拟议的项目将使用几种方法来调查Whyville的特点，参与者，和效果。 对当前Whyville用户（N=600）的调查将收集有关科学兴趣、人口统计学和背景的数据。 将在Whyville内对当前用户（N=20）进行在线焦点小组调查，以收集研究中心使用信息。 将从当地学校招募一组首次使用者（N=60），并进行科学兴趣和背景调查，以及进入Whyville之前的预评估。 然后，使用跟踪程序，当前用户的子集（N=60）和所有首次用户将在网站上监视他们的移动三个月，以确定最感兴趣和吸引力的活动。 新用户和当前用户的一个亚组（N=20）将在实验室环境中“访问”Whyville，在那里他们对网站的使用将被深入跟踪。 他们还将在使用Whyville时与面试官一起参加“大声思考”会议，并将解释他们对科学内容的看法和理解。 新用户还将被要求在他们的“大声思考”会议结束时完成一项临时评估。 最后，这些新用户随后自愿使用Whyville的情况将被跟踪三个月，他们将被要求完成一项后评估，以提供第三个比较点，衡量Whyville暴露对科学概念知识的影响。 它的检查Whyville的特点，参与者和影响可能提供一个模型，为研究人员，评估人员和网站开发人员在未来的工作。 研究结果应提出指导方针，以提高教育网站在吸引女孩对科学和技术的兴趣方面的有效性，它们也可能对改善校本学习产生重要影响。

This project investigates the potential to promote understanding and interest in science among middle school girls on an informal science learning web site called Whyville. Whyville provides an environment for students to explore scientific phenomenon, together with other students, and participate in both scientific and design activities. Preliminary studies of the current Whyville users show that over 60% of the users are girls, most from grades 4-8. Because Whyville is successful in attracting girls to a science oriented site, it is poised to be a potentially powerful tool for motivating and educating girls in science.The proposed project would use several methodologies to investigate Whyville characteristics, participants, and effects. A survey of the current Whyville users (N=600) will gather data on science interest, demographics, and background. Focus groups with current users (N=20) will be conducted on-line, within Whyville, to gather information on site use. A group of first time users (N=60) will be recruited from local schools and given a science interest and background survey, as well as a pre-assessment before entering Whyville. Then, using a tracking program, a subset of the current users (N=60) and all first time users will have their movements on the site monitored for three months in order to determine the activities of greatest interest and appeal. A subgroup (N=20) of new and current users will "visit" Whyville in a lab setting where their use of the site will be tracked in depth. They will also participate in a "think aloud" session with an interviewer while using Whyville and will explain their perceptions and understanding of the science content. The new users will also be asked to complete an interim assessment at the end of their "think aloud" session. Finally, any subsequent voluntary use of Whyville by these new users will be tracked for three months and they will be asked to complete a post-assessment to provide a third comparison point for the impact of Whyville exposure on science concept knowledge.The research proposed should provide a number of benefits. Its examination of Whyville characteristics, participants, and effects may provide a model for researchers, evaluators and site developers in future work. The findings should suggest guidelines for improving the effectiveness of educational websites in attracting your girls' interest in science and technology, and they may have important implications for improving school-based learning as well.