Challenge to the Bruce/Levin Taxonomy

by Quaehee Yu / EdPsy387 Spring 1999






I found this website: The Virtual Field Trips Site as an example that challenge the Bruce/Levin taxanomy.

This site offers on-line field trips about various topics such as volcanoes, hurricanes, deserts, etc...
Each subsite provides detail guides in text and vivid photos about the topic that users choose(Taxonomy A2).   Users can also plan his or her own trip by the control panel in the site(A1).

In addition, users can use this site as resources and tools for teaching(Taxonomy B4).  The site can be also used for preparing the document for discussion or presentation(B1).   The site offers the cyber place to discuss about educational virtual field trip by the sites such as Teacher's lounge, Reviews, FAQ, Contact, etc..(B2).

Thus, this site serves the both funtions of the media for inquiry and the media for communication at the same time.

 The Taxonomy(short version)

A. Media for Inquiry

1. Theory building--technology as media for thinking.
2. Data access--connecting to the world of texts, video, data
3. Data collection--using technology to extend the senses
4. Data analysis
 

B. Media for Communication

1. Document preparation
2. Communication--with other students, teachers, experts in various fields, and people around
     the world
3. Collaborative Media
4. Teaching Media

C. Media for Construction

D. Media for Expression