Eric Klopfer, MIT Teacher Education Program

John Durant, MIT Museum/STS program

Britton Boughner, MIT Museum

Eric Rosenbaum, Project Manager

Developing Public Opinions on Science Using Information Technologies (POSIT)

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

Project GoalsPOSIT’s 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

What is POSIT?• POSIT is a role playing game designed to engage

students in science controversies

• POSIT technology:• Networked • Handheld • “Light” Augmented Reality

Biosafety / Bioterror

Biosafety / Bioterror

A handheld augmented reality role-playing gameA handheld augmented

reality role-playing game

Biosafety/Bioterror: The Scenario

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?

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?

Augmented realityAugmented 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

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

The rolesThe 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

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

Your opinionYour 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.”

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.”

How to winthe game

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

Gather the best evidence in your evidence portfolio

Send it to another player, and argue for your position

Good arguments get high scores

The Rating SystemThe Rating System

After a few minutes gathering evidence, we’ll 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!

After a few minutes gathering evidence, we’ll 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!

The Game InterfaceThe Game Interface

Tabs to navigateTabs to navigate

Your location(and connection status)Your location(and connection status)

The Room Tab

The Items Tab

The World Tab

You Items

Room World

Server display

“Augmented Reality (AR)”

• 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

Augmented Reality (AR) is a Augmented Reality (AR) is a computer simulation on computer simulation on

handheld computer triggered by handheld computer triggered by real world locationreal world location

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

AR Customization Toolkits• Authoring toolkits allow customization of a

simulation’s 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.

AR Games’ Portability & CustomizationAcross 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

AR: Outbreak @ MIT• Outbreak @ 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

Discussion Participatory Sim

Palmagotchi: Anywhere, Anytime• Palmagotchi’s 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

POSIT game play overview

• 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

Game is focused around a single yes/no policy question (fictionalized). For example:“Should MIT build a biohazard level 4 research facility?”

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

Video

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 didn’t like walking around a lot, having to read long messages, and receiving “unfair” ratings from their peers

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.”

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.”

Next StepsAdditional scenarios:

• Energy and Climate Change• Divide up your national energy budget into: non-renewable, nuclear, other

renewable, R&D, 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

Next Steps• New game mechanics

• UI redesign

• Add multimedia

• Implementation in museums

• Scenario authoring toolkit