Evaluating the effects of using tablets on motivation and engagement in a seventh grade citizen science field trip

Abstract

In the field, students constantly desire to bring their own devices with them, however, some outdoor educators and teachers feel the devices will be a distraction as the students will be checking social media apps or playing games. The teachers also may not want to be responsible for devices that might be damaged or lost. To engage with students that are always plugged in, it is necessary to create a bridge that connects the students' interest in technology with a tool that creates positive outdoor educational experiences. To create this bridge, the use of tablets during a part of our instruction during the citizen science program would be used to help students connect to the environment in a new and easy way as they use tablets to view an osprey nest.