Collective engagement in a technologically mediated science learning experience: A case study in a botanical garden

This paper presents an interactional case study from Tree Investigators, a research study designed as a technologically mediated tour of an arboretum where children aged 7-11 collaboratively learn about the characteristic features of different types of trees. Throughout the tour, children are facilitated by a Naturalist and use mobile technology (e.g., iPads) to focus on specific characteristics of trees on their touch screens while observing the trees and discussing about them. This analysis focuses on a group activity where children use a mobile app to identify a mystery tree, analyzed through video-based Interaction Analysis. The findings reveal a collective engagement afforded by a coordinated interaction between sensory modes (verbal, gaze, touch, spatial) and mobile technologies (iPads, AR content). The purpose of this analysis is to help researchers and educators utilize the analytical concept of the collective when designing or examining mobile learning activities outside of school.