SEEE study web site:
http://www2.sis.pitt.edu/~mariah/phd/seee.html

Educational Technology Research Study Using Virtual
Reality!
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS Group Three
August and September, 2007
Does your child enjoy learning about nature, using
computers and making art?
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are
putting together a series of real and virtual reality
field trips for elementary aged children to engage and
inspire independent exploration, inquiry, scientific
learning, and artistic experiences. All volunteers
will participate in a research study of the usability
of the computer simulation software of Trillium Trail.

The purpose of this study is to:
1. Describe the difference between real and virtual
situational learning, and
2. Evaluate HCI performance in the simulation in terms
of high to low navigation and visual fidelity.
The software is like a computer game, but designed for
learning. All children will have a chance to design
and build their very own virtual world ecologies. In
addition to exploring and learning about our local
ecology, all children will be helping us to design new
fun, child-driven, knowledge-based technologies.
Who? Any elementary age child in the third, fourth and
fifth grades are being asked to participate in this
study. We will give priority to fourth grade and fill
openings on an as needed-basis. We have 16 - 20
openings for the smaller studies of Group One and
Group Two, and 64 openings for Group Three, a larger
study on the software. Parents are invited to be
present at all times.
What? All groups will meet in the School of
Information Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh
for a pretest, a virtual field trip, posttest, and a
follow-up session as an opportunity to create a
virtual world. Groups One and Two will require an
additional real field trip to Trillium Trail, located
on Squaw Run Road in Fox Chapel, guided by the Audubon
Society of Western PA Educator - Gabi Hughes!
When? Field trips and research studies will be
conducted between May and December, 2007. Group
assignment will occur after you volunteer.
Who are we? This project is a PhD dissertation study
"Simulated Ecological Environments for Education" of
Maria C.R. Harrington, a PhD Candidate in the School
of Information Sciences at the University of
Pittsburgh. Disclaimer: This is not an O'Hara school
project or a FCASD project.
To sign up or ask questions: please contact Maria C.R.
Harrington, at (412) 606-2170 or send an email
mharring@pitt.edu.http://www2.sis.pitt.edu/~mariah/phd/seee.html

Maria C.R. Harrington
School of Information Sciences
University of Pittsburgh
135 North Bellefield Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15260 USA
Email:
Cell 412 606-2170
Office Tel: 412.624.5230
Office Fax: 412.624.5231
Office: SIS 708