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Choice and interest in designed learning environments: the case of FUSE Studios

Daniela K. DiGiacomo (School of Information Science, College of Communication and Information – University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA)
Katie Van Horne (School of Education, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA)
William R. Penuel (School of Education, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA)

Information and Learning Sciences

ISSN: 2398-5348

Article publication date: 27 March 2020

219

Abstract

Purpose

Empirical investigation into the e-learning innovation, FUSE Studios, is both timely and relevant because FUSE is rapidly expanding domestically and abroad and there is continued interest in the interdisciplinary fields of information and learning sciences in the constructs of choice and interest as they relate to the provision and design of learning experiences. In particular, this paper aims to contribute to scholarly and design-based conversations on how e-learning innovations – especially those situated within the digital youth and constructionism strands of research – can be designed in ways that support robust opportunities for learning for young people (Reynolds et al., 2019).

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon a large corpus of mixed-methods data including computer-generated activity log data, youth survey data and studio facilitator interview data, this paper examines patterns of use and interest-related experience among young people in a range of FUSE Studios settings across the USA.

Findings

The results suggest that student choice within FUSE’s curricular and Studio model tends to support a broad exploration of interests across a wide range of youth, rather than a deep dive into particular Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) content areas.

Practical implications

Alongside the broad exploration that was found to characterize the patterns of student choice in FUSE Studios, a striking number of students from those surveyed reported that FUSE supported their interest development: they liked the FUSE challenges, were always able to find something of interest to do in the FUSE Studios and saw the FUSE challenges are supportive of their current and future interests. (See similar findings in Stevens et al., 2016). We understand these student self-reported experiences as evidence that the FUSE Studios model did well to encourage meaningful, interest-driven learning experiences for youth.

Originality/value

Committed to making research usable for practice, this paper offers implications for future e-learning designs that seek to make choice and interest central to the organization of activity and environment.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number DRL 134-8800. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. We are also very grateful to the FUSE design team at Northwestern University for their support of this work.

Citation

DiGiacomo, D.K., Van Horne, K. and Penuel, W.R. (2020), "Choice and interest in designed learning environments: the case of FUSE Studios", Information and Learning Sciences, Vol. 121 No. 3/4, pp. 137-154. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-09-2019-0098

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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