Evaluation of Improved Botanical Search Application for Elementary School Students

Tomoko Kajiyama

Abstract: A previously reported botanical search application for tablet computers has been improved to enable elementary school students to actively learn while using information, communication, and telecommunication technologies in accordance with educational guidelines issued by the Japanese government. The functions and displays were improved to address seven problems identified by two experts in designing educational applications. To evaluate the feasibility of using the improved application at the elementary school level, an elementary school teacher conducted a class on plant search with six elementary school students who were familiar with using a tablet computer as an extracurricular summer lesson. They practiced using the application, took photos of plants on the school grounds, and searched for the plant names using the application. Three of the students (in grades 4, 5 and 6) could do the task by themselves while the other three students (in grade 1) searched for the plant names with help from assistant teachers. The lower grade students had difficulty in using the application because they were unable to prepare an initial worksheet giving input for the application. Nevertheless, all the students enjoyed using the application and participating in the class activities. The results revealed that this application can make searching enjoyable and promote natural conversation and that a class like this one can give students the opportunity not only to learn about plants but also to learn actively.