Abstract
This chapter was developed in the context of a project that explores the use of human senses and electronic sensors to develop abstract thinking in authentic learning at the level of Elementary Education. Based on this project’s theoretical and instrumental framework, a set of electronic sensors is assessed, in what concerns their potential to be used by children in conjunction with the senses, to explore authentic problems in environmental education, whilst aiming at developing abstract thinking. The set of assessed sensors integrates a digital microscope, a water temperature sensor, a turbidity sensor, a conductivity sensor, and an air temperature sensor. During the developed educational activities, the sensors proved to be robust for environmental exploration by children. The sensors also revealed potential to improve the children’s world perception, as well as to be used as an extension of the human senses. The sensory information acquired by children facilitated the interpretation of the more abstract data acquired by the sensors. Finally, the sensors allowed children to observe, represent and control variables in authentic activities that involved complex concepts, this way supporting children’s abstract thinking.
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Acknowledgments
It should be noted the importance and value of participation of Professor Elisabete Oliveira, researcher on this project and supervisor of the participating trainees. We would like to thank all the children, teachers, trainees and the schools that participated in the activities here described.
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Silva, M.J., Aboim, S., Teixeira, S., Pinto, J.A., Pereira, T. (2016). Using Senses and Sensors in the Environment to Develop Abstract Thinking: Evaluating the Utility and Usability of Electronic Sensors. In: Marcelino, M., Mendes, A., Gomes, M. (eds) ICT in Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-22900-3_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-22900-3_8
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