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Informal multimedia biodiversity awareness event as a digital ecology for promoting culture of science

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Abstract

Using self-determination theory, this study investigated the influence of a multimedia-enhanced informal biodiversity awareness event on the evolving culture of science and internal and external motivation to take environmental action among the members of a small community in Southeastern US. The event was hosted by a local life and science museum and featured three main components: a) opening session by experts in biodiversity; b) animated video about biodiversity; and c) follow-up conversation with scientists. Motivation for Environmental Action survey was used to examine public’s motivation to take action to protect biodiversity prior to and upon finishing the event. Semi-structured interviews were employed to investigate public’s evolving culture of science. Ordinal regression analysis suggested that public’s internal motivation was positively associated with a greater number of actions taken to protect biodiversity. University students were less likely to take actions to protect biodiversity than other members of the public. Interestingly, the increase in internal motivation was larger for students than for non-students, suggesting that even a relatively short informal biodiversity awareness event can impact community’s motivation, especially among those who were not particularly motivated to take actions to protect biodiversity prior to the event.

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Notes

  1. In this study, Public “Engagement with Science” follows the description offered by The Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education (MCallie et al. 2009), which emphasizes the mutual learning that takes place in informal learning environments, where scientists and non-scientists representing diverse profiles (e.g., students, professionals, retired people, etc.) “dialogue” in a variety of contexts (e.g., museums, zoos), and with the aid of different educational technology means (e.g., film and broadcast media, digital media and gaming).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Teaching and Learning, University of Florida, 9437 SW 31st Ln, Gainesville-Florida, 32608, USA

    Natercia Valle

  2. College of Education, School of Teaching and Learning, University of Florida, G-518B Norman Hall, PO Box 117048, Gainesville, FL, 32611-7048, USA

    Pavlo Antonenko

  3. UF Biodiversity Institute, University of Florida, 432 Newell Drive, CISE Bldg. E251, Gainesville, Florida, 32611-5585, USA

    Pamela S. Soltis

  4. Florida Museum of Natural History–Dickinson Hall, University of Florida, 1659 Museum Road, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Douglas E. Soltis, Ryan A. Folk & Robert P. Guralnick

  5. Digital Worlds Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 115800, Gainesville, FL, 32611-5800, USA

    James C. Oliverio

  6. UF Digital Worlds REVE, University of Florida, P.O. Box 115810, 101 Norman Gym, Gainesville, FL, 32611-5810, USA

    Timothy T Difato

  7. School of Teaching and Learning, University of Florida, P.O. box 117048, Gainesville, Florida, 32611-7048, USA

    Zhen Xu & Li Cheng

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  1. Natercia Valle
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Correspondence to Natercia Valle.

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Valle, N., Antonenko, P., Soltis, P.S. et al. Informal multimedia biodiversity awareness event as a digital ecology for promoting culture of science. Educ Inf Technol 25, 3275–3297 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-020-10121-7

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