Making students curious: using an app-based walking tour as a pedagogical tool

Research based app in the upcoming semesters to assess its use as a pedagogical tool to stimulate interactive teaching and learning

Team Members :  Niki Vermeulen, Steven Sturdy, Anna Groundwater, Nicola Osborne, Jonanthan Silvertown

Abstract

After the initial development of the Curious Edinburgh website and pilot app that showcases Edinburgh’s rich scientific past, it is now possible to integrate our work in teaching. Although already used in teaching contexts and student inductions, we aim to officially roll out the research based app in the upcoming semesters to assess its use as a pedagogical tool to stimulate interactive teaching and learning. The app connects important insights about the advancement of science, technology and medicine in Scotland’s capital, thereby deepening the student experience of the city and enabling students to explore these connections further.

Through the development of a four-phase digital learning and assessment process, we aim to optimise the app as a pedagogical tool, contributing to the integration of digital technology in education and enhancing the unique Edinburgh student experience. Students will be able to actively engage with the content, writing up high-quality history of science research on places, people, and objects from Edinburgh’s scientific past, while also contributing directly to public engagement. Funds will be used for further content and technical development of Curious Edinburgh, in interaction with students, and to make this resource available for all students in the University of Edinburgh as well as its alumni. Moreover, further technological development of the platform technology behind the app, aims to let students make their own app in the future (in collaboration with Edinburgh Cityscope).

Final project report

Download the final project report (PDF)

Other project outcomes

 

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