DESIGN
How can we design learning opportunities to activate children's interest and curious minds in ways that ignite persistent engagement in science, technology, engineering, art, and math learning, inquiry, and innovation?
One of the primary goals of our work is to identify the features of learning experiences that support increases in activation. By identifying these features we will be able to support the design of such experiences.
We believe the following Features of Learning Experiences can have an influence on participants' level of activation.
Affordances of the Learning Environment
Mission and outcomes, materials, accessibility, intellectual richness, expertise
Affordances of Social Interactions
Development and demonstration of expertise, sense of belonging, supportive culture for creativity and innovation, opportunities for engagement in collaborative sensemaking
Affordances of the Learning Experiences
Relevance to learners' lives, authentic engagement in disciplinary practices, offers opportunities for choice/control/autonomy, promotes stimulation and/or enjoyment, offers increasing complexity and opportunities for mastery