Innovative Strategy Concept Cartoons By Cary Clark ISD 613 Instructional and Learning Strategies What Are Concept Cartoons These are cartoon style drawings of familiar situations with an element of science Different cartoon characters put forth alternative viewpoints about the presented situation Below is an example from a poster found in London Underground train system Question What will happen if we take the top off of a bottle of fizzy lemonade Three different cartoon characters propose the following options about the bottle It will lose weight 2 It get heavier 3 It will stay the same The actual example can be found on next slide 1 Example Other Examples The following example and others can be found at the following web site Search for Science on the Underground http wwwsearch mmu ac uk Criteria for Concept Cartoons Everyday problem with a scientific dimension focus on probable situations rather than theory Minimal amounts of text Common alternative viewpoints based on research put forth Alternatives appear of equal status such as similar facial expressions and text size Research The previous example and three others were placed in the London underground in march 1998 for the approximate 2 5 million passengers to view Other posters have been placed in interactive science centers schools colleges and dentists waiting rooms Research Findings Effective with learners of all ages and backgrounds Highly motivating Non threatening Intriguing new perspectives on familiar events Research Findings Parallels found between adults learning and children s learning Important for both to construct personal meaning Same poorly formed scientific ideas held by both Strategy Pro s Useful in a variety of situations Formal education to informal everyday settings such as the London underground trains Useful for a variety individuals From children old enough to read to adults with little scientific awareness Strategy Pro s Used for a variety of topics other than science Literacy promotion in schools Teaching English as a second language Teaching English as a foreign language Strategy Con s The depth of topic is limited because of the minimal text on concept cartoon posters Strategy s purpose is only to engage interest and provoke thoughtfulness It is not used to actually present information on a topic Implications for Instructional Designers Many educators believe that students should construct knowledge through inquiry rather than receiving is passively through textbooks or lectures Implications for Instructional Designers This strategy is consistent with aspects of the ARCS model of motivation Attention humor inquiry arousal Relevance experience Can be used in Gagne s Nine Events of Instruction Gain attention Stimulate recall of prior knowledge Implications for Instructional Designers Cartoons when used in this learning strategy and others have several proven effects Engage attention Serve as entertainment Present information in a non threatening manner References Griffiths P D 1995 The physics message cartoon style Australian Science Teachers Journal 41 57 58 Keogh B Naylor S 1999 Science goes underground Science Study and Teaching 10 6 8 Klein P D 1998 The role of children s theory of mind in science experimentation Journal of Experimental Education 66 101124
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