Medium-based design: Extending a medium to create an exploratory learning environment

This article introduces medium-based design—an approach to creating exploratory learning environments using the method of extending a medium. First, the characteristics of exploratory learning environments and medium-based design are described and grounded in related work. Particular attention is given to extending a medium— medium-based design’s core method. Then, the product and process of two environments are detailed to show how medium-based design enables the creation of exploratory learning environments. Finally, a study compares medium-based design to a conventional design process to test the hypothesis that medium-based design is particularly effective in creating exploratory learning environments. 1 Exploratory Learning In an elementary school classroom, a fourth grader uses a computer program to design a quilt with the challenge to cover 1 3 of the quilt block with one color and 2 3 with another color. He struggles for some time using a 4-by-4 grid. Eventually, he raises his hand and remarks to the researcher with an emphatic and confused look, “I think it’s really hard to make one third.” Indeed, with the pieces provided, it’s impossible. The researcher agrees with him and suggests that he try showing 1 3 using a 3-by-3 grid. At a university, two physics-of-music students examine the spectral output of a musical keyboard using a computer program. Surprisingly, the same note played with the organ looks different than played with the piano—there’s an extra harmonic above the fundamental. After some experimenting and reflecting on their own experience, it clicks for one of the students. “Oh! It’s because you’re getting this pedal tone [points to a harmonic below This article was published in the journal Interactive Learning Environments (2005), 13(3):179–212. Interactive Learning Environments is available online at: http://journalsonline.tandf.co.uk/link.asp?id=r75qwn2k67g4