Effects of object novelty and environmental novelty on cognitive learning in a natural science museum setting /
| Main Author: | |
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1988.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | ProQuest, Abstract Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | Fourth graders from south Texas participated in an object-based instructional program about adaptations of birds to coastal habitats. Bird study skins were the instructional objects. Either the Corpus Christi Museum or the school classroom was the instructional environment. Two classes were assigned to each of twelve treatments consisting of a combination of one of three possible levels of object novelty (Novel, Vicariously Familiarized, or Familiarized) and one of four possible levels of environmental novelty (Novel, Vicariously Familiarized, Familiarized, or Highly Familiar). Two classes acted as controls. Analysis of Covariance was used to account for initial variations among groups. A standardized vocabulary test was used as the covariate. An investigator-designed cognitive test was used as both immediate posttest and four-week retention test. The instructional program had a significant immediate effect on children's cognitive learning. Four weeks later, this effect was non-significant. A significant interaction between the levels of object and environmental novelty was detected with posttest data. In general, when the levels of object novelty and environmental novelty were in maximum contrast, learning was greatest for the given level of environmental novelty. Groups which scored absolutely the highest were those which experienced the program in the museum, after some form of familiarization with both the environment and the objects. Four weeks after the instructional program a significant interaction between object and environmental novelty no longer existed. A significant main effect for level of environmental novelty appeared, with museum being somewhat better than classroom. No significant main effect for level of object novelty was detected. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Curriculum and Instruction." |
| Physical Description: | xi, 228 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |