Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 1-1-2011 The ffecE ts of Seductive Details in an Inflatable Planetarium Sean Gillette Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Astrophysics and Astronomy Commons, Interactive Arts Commons, and the Science and Mathematics Education Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University "#-#-.),.# 3."..").),&-./33 (#&&.. "-( )/(.))'*&.(-.#- .),3#(&&,-*.-6 (.".(3(&&,0#-#)(-,+/#,3 .",0#1)''#.."0('9 0#1)''#.. ,9# (3,#.,6)''#.."#,*,-)(6/.#)(/&.3 ,90#,,36)''#..',6/.#)(/&.3 ,9,#(",#-.(-)(6(#0,-#.30#1,6/.#)(/&.3 "# '# #, ,##&6"99 &((#0,-#.3 KIJL Abstract The Effects of Seductive Details in an Inflatable Planetarium by Sean Gillette MA, Azusa Pacific University, 2002 BS, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, 1993 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Teacher Leadership Walden University August 2013 Abstract Astronomy is becoming a forgotten science, which is evident by its relatively low enrollment figures compared to biology, chemistry, and physics. A portable inflatable planetarium brings relevance back to astronomy and offers support to students and educators by simulating realistic astronomical environments. This study sought to determine if learning is improved in an inflatable planetarium by adhering to the design principles of the cognitive theory of multimedia learning (CTML), specifically the coherence principle, in an authentic classroom. Two groups of 5th grade students of similar ability were purposefully assigned using a 1-teacher-to-many-students format with mean lesson lengths of 34 minutes. The experimental group was differentiated with seductive details, defined as interesting but irrelevant facts that can distract learning. The control group (n = 28), with seductive details excluded, outperformed the experimental group (n = 28), validating the coherence principle and producing a Cohen’s effect size of medium practical significance (d = 0.4). These findings suggest that CTML, when applied to planetarium instruction, does increase student learning and that seductive details do have a negative effect on learning. An adult training project was created to instruct educators on the benefits of CTML in astronomy education. This study leads to positive social change by highlighting astronomy education while providing educators with design principles of CTML in authentic settings to maximize learning, aid in the creation of digital media (astronomical simulations/instructional lessons for planetariums) and provide valuable training for owners of inflatable planetariums with the eventual goal of increasing student enrollment of astronomy courses at the local level. The Effects of Seductive Details in an Inflatable Planetarium by Sean Gillette MA, Azusa Pacific University, 2002 BS, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, 1993 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Teacher Leadership Walden University /!/-.6KIJL UMI Number: 3595482 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI 3595482 Published by ProQuest LLC (2013). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 - 1346 Dedication This doctoral dissertation is dedicated to my wife and three children. I would like to thank them for listening patently while I told them all about the world of astronomy education and inflatable planetariums, which only I seemed to be excited about. They have waited patiently for me to complete this project, with that I would like to express my love. Acknowledgements There are three women I would like to thank and acknowledge. First I must recognize Karrie Berglund of Digitalis Education Solutions. If it wasn’t for her loaning me a digital inflatable planetarium I could never have proceeded with this project. Secondly, I need to thank Julia Plummer of Penn State for saving me many hours of research by pointing me in the direction of Multimedia Learning. Finally, I wish to thank Tiffany DePriter for being my mentor and editor during this entire process. Thank you to everyone for your help and guidance. Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures ..................................................................................................................... v Section 1: The Problem ....................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Definition of the Problem ................................................................................................... 2 Rationale ............................................................................................................................. 4 Evidence of the Problem at the Local Level ............................................................... 6 Evidence of the Problem from the Professional Literature ......................................... 7 Definitions ........................................................................................................................... 9 Significance ....................................................................................................................... 10 Guiding/Research Questions ............................................................................................. 10 Review of the Literature ................................................................................................... 11 Implications ....................................................................................................................... 40 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 41 Section 2: The Methodology ............................................................................................. 45 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 45 Participant and Setting ...................................................................................................... 46 Material ............................................................................................................................. 49 Reseach Design and Approach ......................................................................................... 50 Procedures ......................................................................................................................... 57 Research Hypothesis ......................................................................................................... 59 Assumptions, Limitations, Scope and Delimitations ........................................................ 59 # Ethical Treatment of Human Subjects .............................................................................. 61 Findings ............................................................................................................................. 62 Limitations of Study Design ............................................................................................. 68 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 72 Section 3: The Project ....................................................................................................... 74 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 74 Description and Goals ....................................................................................................... 74 Rationale ........................................................................................................................... 76 Review of the Literature ................................................................................................... 77 Impementation .................................................................................................................. 94 Potential Resources and Existing Supports .................................................................. 96 Potential Barriers ......................................................................................................... 96 Proposeal for Implementation and Timetables ...........................................................