Eric Klopfer, MIT Teacher Education Program

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Developing Public Opinions on Science Using
Information Technologies (POSIT)

• Eric Klopfer, MIT Teacher Education Program
• John Durant, MIT Museum/STS program
• Britton Boughner, MIT Museum
• Eric Rosenbaum, Project Manager

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POSIT

• Public Opinions of Science using Information
  Technologies
• Collaboration between MIT and MIT Museum
• Engage the public in relevant and scientifically
  based controversies
• One year project funded by iCampus

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Project Goals

• POSITs goals are to help students
• Explore complex scientific ideas
• Examine current science and technology
  controversies
• Engage in a rich discussions using scientific
  evidence
• Understand alternative viewpoints through
  role-playing
• Reflect on the dynamics of opinion change in
  themselves and in a group
• Gain a deeper sense of the relevancy of science,
  particularly among underserved audiences

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What is POSIT?

• POSIT is a role playing game designed to engage
  students in science controversies
• POSIT technology
• Networked
• Handheld
• Light Augmented Reality

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Biosafety / Bioterror

• A handheld augmented reality role-playing game

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Biosafety/Bioterror The Scenario

• You have been selected to be a member of an
  independent advisory panel to the President of
  MIT. Your task is to gather information, and
  advise her on this question
• Should MIT build a BSL-4 laboratory?

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Augmented reality

• You play the game on a handheld computer
• It knows where you are! (for this demo we will we
  stay in this room)
• Interact with virtual characters and items
• Game content is dynamic

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The roles

• Biology grad student
• Assistant professor of biology
• Bio safety officer
• Student activist
• Professor of history of science
• Nurse
• Biotech marketing exec
• City councilor
• Food truck owner
• Local parent

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Your opinion

• A slider in the game lets you enter your opinion
  on whether MIT should build a BSL-4 lab
• -5 means Definitely not!
• 5 means Definitely yes!
• Enter your opinion at the beginning of the game,
  and then as you gather information, if your
  opinion changes, adjust the slider and click
  update.

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How to winthe game

• Gather the best evidence in your evidence
  portfolio
• Send it to another player, and argue for your
  position
• Good arguments get high scores

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The Rating System

• After a few minutes gathering evidence, well
  pause so you can rate each other
• You make your argument, and your partner gives
  you three scores, on how well you
• Based your argument on facts
• Played your role
• Responded to a challenge
• Then switch!

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The Game Interface
Your location (and connection status)

• Tabs to navigate

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The Room Tab
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The Items Tab
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The World Tab
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You
Items
Room
World
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Server display
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Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented Reality (AR) is a computer simulation
on handheld computer triggered by real world
location

• Location-Based Experience
• Uses GPS (Global Positioning System) outdoors
• or wi-fi positioning indoors
• AR simulations provide
• Realistic learning environment
• Low-cost, low-preparation set-up
• Integrates virtual and real-world interactions
• Provides deep, thoughtful engagement

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AR Environmental Detectives

• Environmental Detectives
• Players briefed about rash of local health
  problems linked to the environment
• Need to determine source of pollution by drilling
  sampling wells, interviewing virtual witnesses

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AR Customization Toolkits

• Authoring toolkits allow customization of a
  simulations location, content and timescale.

• StarSchools
• AR Simulation Games for Mathematics and Literacy
  Learning with Emerging Mobile Technologies
• UW Madison / MIT / Harvard University
• Targeting math and scientific literacy skills in
  middle school students in Milwaukee/Madison, WI.

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AR Games Portability Customization

• Across wide range of subjects
• Public Health/Disease Outbreak (Charles RiverCity
  Avian Bird Flu)
• Forensics (Mad City Murder)
• Historical Exploration (Battle of Lexington)
• across locations
• Local Communities (e.g., geographical tours)
• Schools
• Museums
• Science Centers
• Zoos/Nature Conserves
• and across time
• Beyond normal class time
• Over extended period of time

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AR Outbreak _at_ MIT

• Outbreak _at_ MIT (client-server model)
• Participants must find the source of a mysterious
  disease outbreak at MIT and contain it before it
  gets out of control.
• Client-server architecture allows one world
  with underlying models and more realistic feel.
• Tested with educators and epidemiologists for
  learning and training

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Discussion Participatory Sim

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Palmagotchi Anywhere, Anytime

• Palmagotchis Challenge Try to keep a dynamic
  ecology of virtual creatures alive using
  principles of evolutionary biology.
• Can be played outside school hours
• Class time used for higher-level reflection and
  analysis of genetics, biology, co-evolution

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POSIT game play overview
Game is focused around a single yes/no policy
question (fictionalized). For exampleShould MIT
build a biohazard level 4 research facility?

• Briefing - Potential biohazard facility in Boston
• Roles - Playing realistic roles from scientist to
  resident
• Opinions - Update your opinion during game, see
  real time histogram
• Collecting Data and Sharing Opinions - Players
  collect information from virtual characters and
  items in different real locations
• Rating system -
• Final Decision - voting

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Preliminary Research Results

• Pilot tests with one mixed-age group over the
  summer, and two high school groups this fall
• Players were
• Engaged
• Gathering information
• Role playing
• Presenting arguments

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Video
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Preliminary Research Results

• On surveys, students reported enjoying the story
  lines and news flashes
• Firefighters quarantined after responding to a
  fire at a local biotech company
• Are lab PI and biotech CEO in cahoots?
• Was the lab mice escape real or a hoax?
• Students didnt like walking around a lot, having
  to read long messages, and receiving unfair
  ratings from their peers

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Preliminary Research Results

• Students report that the rating system helped
  them improve their arguments
• it made you realize some things did not back
  your argument as much as you thought.
• it made people have to back up their ideas.
• it made your argument stronger and efficient.

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Preliminary Research Results

• Perspective taking
• reading the messages from the characters helped
  me view different perspectives of these
  characters like the firefighter, Molly etc.
• Location matters
• I saw the spot where the building was set to be
  built on and it was very scary how many students
  and people walked by it constantly.

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Next Steps

• Additional scenarios
• Energy and Climate Change
• Divide up your national energy budget into
  non-renewable, nuclear, other renewable, RD, and
  conservation.
• Medical Applications of Nanotechnology
• Evaluate a multi-billion dollar federal funding
  proposal for research in medical applications of
  nanotechnology
• Bioprospecting
• Negotiate a bioprospecting deal between a
  national park and a biotechnology company.
• Also Life on Mars, GM Crops, Network Neutrality,
  Open Source, Water Management, and Bird Flu

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Next Steps

• New game mechanics
• UI redesign
• Add multimedia
• Implementation in museums
• Scenario authoring toolkit