A Proposal for Mobile-assisted Citizen Inquiry Learning Approach in Learning of Plastic Pollution

Abstract

Engaging young people in citizen inquiry could facilitate the process of constructing learning outcomes through investigation and reflection on their experiences. This study aimed to investigate the effects of using the citizen inquiry approach on students’ learning outcomes regarding environmental awareness, scientific explanation, and scientific communication. An intensive science camp regarding the citizen inquiry approach to plastic pollution has been developed and implemented for elementary school students. The results showed considerable improvement in their learning outcomes after interacting with the intervention. However, there is a challenge and opportunity to redesign the implemented approach with the support of mobile technology to improve their learning outcomes. This paper proposes how we could transform the citizen inquiry approach with digital devices to promote elementary school students’ environmental awareness, scientific explanation, and scientific communication.