Preschoolers' Recall of Science Content From Educational Videos Presented With and Without Songs.
Schechter, Rachel.
2013
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Abstract: This experimental investigation evaluated the impact of educational
songs on a child's ability to recall scientific content from an educational television
program. Preschoolers' comprehension of the educational content was examined by measuring
children's ability to recall the featured science content (the function of a pulley and its
parts) and their use of the precise scientific ... read moreterms presented in the episode. A total of
91 preschoolers were included (3-5 years old). Clusters of children were randomly assigned
to a control group or one of three video groups: (a) Dialogue Only, which did not include a
song; (b) Dialogue Plus Lyrics, which included a song; or (c) Lyrics Only, which consisted
of a song, played twice. Results from interviews suggested that children from all video
groups (lyrics and/or dialogue) were able to explain the form and function of a pulley
better than the control group. The data suggested that children from the Lyrics Only group
understood the science content because of the visual imagery, not through the information
provided in the lyrics. In terms of precise vocabulary terms, significantly more children
in the Dialogue Only group recalled at least one precise term from the program compared to
the Lyrics Only group. Looking at the interview as a whole, the children's responses
suggested different levels of scientific understanding. Children would require additional
teacher-led instruction to deepen their scientific understanding and to clarify any
misconceptions. This paper discusses implications of these findings for teachers using
multi-media tools in the science classroom and producers creating new educational
programming for television and other platforms.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Tufts University, 2013.
Submitted to the Dept. of Child Development.
Advisor: Calvin Gidney.
Committee: Julie Dobrow, Elizabeth Bachrach, and Brian Gravel.
Keywords: Educational technology, Music, and Science education.read less - ID:
- c821gw85c
- Component ID:
- tufts:22004
- To Cite:
- TARC Citation Guide EndNote
