A Blended Mobile Learning Environment for Museum Learning

• Published in: Educational technology & society Vol. 17; no. 2; pp. 207 - 218
• Main Authors: Hou, Huei-Tse, Wu, Sheng-Yi, Lin, Peng-Chun, Sung, Yao-Ting, Lin, Jhe-Wei, Chang, Kuo-En
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Palmerston North International Forum of Educational Technology & Society 01.04.2014
• Subjects: Behavior Patterns; Blended Learning; College Students; Distance learning; Educational activities; Educational aspects; Educational Environment; Educational technology; Electronic devices; Essay Tests; Exhibits; Foreign Countries; Full Length Articles; Handheld Devices; Informal Education; Informal learning; Interactive systems; Intermode Differences; Knowledge Level; Learning; Learning Activities; Learning Experience; Learning Processes; Learning styles; Management; Mobile devices; Mobile learning; Multiple Choice Tests; Museum exhibits; Museums; Pretests Posttests; Problem based learning; School environment; Sequential analysis; Student Participation; Taiwan; Technology application; Technology Uses in Education; Web Sites; Websites; Taiwan; United States
• ISSN: 1176-3647; 1436-4522; 1436-4522

The use of mobile devices for informal learning has gained attention over recent years. Museum learning is also regarded as an important research topic in the field of informal learning. This study explored a blended mobile museum learning environment (BMMLE). Moreover, this study applied three blended museum learning modes: (a) the traditional museum visit accompanied by a learning website, (b) paper-based learning sheets used during museum visits accompanied by a learning website, and (c) an interactive mobile learning system used during museum visits accompanied by a learning website (i.e., BMMLE). Furthermore, the study explored the learning process through the use of each mode by museum visitors and empirically examined the differences between the learning performances and behavioral patterns of visitors. Study participants included 58 college students. A performance analysis, a behavior analysis of learners' participation on the website and a sequential analysis of the videotaped behaviors of visiting participants were conducted. The findings showed that the BMMLE proposed in this study may enable visitors to focus on the interactions between on-site exhibits and mobile learning systems and that the BMMLE may also extend the interaction period between on-site learning and the learning website, thus facilitating the implementation of the museum's learning activities.