Theses and Dissertations
Effectiveness of Omeka virtual collections for engaging Dunn-Seiler Museum’s middle school audiences
Advisor
Clary, Renee M.
Committee Member
Nagel, Athena Owen
Committee Member
Haney, Christa
Date of Degree
5-10-2024
Original embargo terms
Embargo 2 years
Document Type
Graduate Thesis - Open Access
Major
Geoscience (Geology)
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Department of Geosciences
Abstract
This study assessed effectiveness of the Dunn-Seiler Museum's Omeka Virtual Platform by comparing student learning after virtual and hands-on informal outreach activities. The research, conducted in two Mississippi middle schools, focused on students’ (N=99) content gains and affective responses when engaging with fossil specimens that illustrate shifts in sea levels in Mississippi’s geological past. Data were categorized into three sections: content, affective response, and drawing portion. This mixed-methods research encompassed scoring student tests, coding student drawings, and identifying stable themes through teacher interviews. Analysis of pre-and post-tests for Control (hands-on) and Experimental (virtual specimens) groups revealed no significant differences in content gain or affective response when the data were aggregated for Control versus Experimental groups. Five themes emerged from qualitative analysis of teacher interviews, including teachers’ perceived importance of classroom novelty. Findings indicate that virtual fossil specimens offer a comparable experience to hands-on specimens in the context of museum outreach.
Recommended Citation
Mayo, Amanda, "Effectiveness of Omeka virtual collections for engaging Dunn-Seiler Museum’s middle school audiences" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 6139.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/6139