STEM Discussion Group Meeting

21st October 2021 : 11:00 - 12:00

Category: Lecture

Speaker: Professor Miri Barak

Location: Department of Education 15 Norham Gardens, Oxford, OX2 6PY Room K/L

Convener: Karen Skilling

Audience: Department Staff and Students

For our first meeting on Thursday  21st October: 11am -12 midday, Associate Professor Miri Barak from the Faculty of Education in Science and Technology, Technion- Israel Institute of Technology and the Head of the Science and Learning Technologies (SLT) group.  Miri’s topic is: Situated escape games as means for promoting knowledge and awareness about food and nutrition. More details are provided in the attachment.

Abstract: Based on the premise that games are an important educational agency, and following the global trend of escape games, the goal of the study was twofold: First, to examine ways to incorporate situated learning in the design of educational escape games (EduEG); Second, to investigate their role in facilitating knowledge and awareness about food-related topics. The study was part of the Horizon 2020 EIT-Food program, conducted in five countries: Israel, UK, Belgium, Poland, and Finland (gamesoffood.com). We applied a sequential mixed methods design, in two stages. First, we conducted in-depth interviews among educational experts and game designers to generate the EduEG methodology. Then, based on the methodology, we designed the Zombie Attack escape game and tested it among participants, ages 18 to 55 (N = 275). Data were collected though pre- and post-game questionnaires, with open- and closed-ended questions. Findings showed a significant increase in participants’ knowledge of food-related topics, with an emphasis on understanding protein value and function. Structural equation modeling indicated significant positive relationships between knowledge and awareness gains and four situated learning components: authentic situation, scientific information, collaborative learning, and self-reflection. In this presentation, I will show how the situated EduEG methodology was generated, how knowledge and awareness were analyzed and coded. If time permits, I will present examples of food-related puzzles and participants’ game experience.

This presentation will be in room K/L which is across the road from the Department reception/library.

If you would like to join the STEM group please email Karen so she can add you to the group list (karen.skilling@education.ox.ac.uk). A Teams invitation will be sent out closer to the date in case you can only attend remotely.