La valutazione delle prestazioni di reti di organizzazioni
non-profitTechnion – Israel Institute of Technology
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This study was carried out as part of the MOSAICA project, an IST
project funded by the EC 6th FP.
MOSAICA project ( http://www.mosaica-project.eu ) set forth the
vision of promoting open-mindedness and pluralistic views by
presenting unique learning experiences.
Virtual Expeditions
MOSAICA project
Virtual Expeditions (VEs)
A thematically-organized succession of virtual heritage items in
the form of web-based resources bound together via story-telling
templates.
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Modern societies expect people to make rational decisions based-on
evaluative and critical thinking rather than on authority
acceptance (Barak, Ben-Chaim & Zoller, 2007; Ten Dam, &
Volman, 2004).
One aspect of critical thinking is open-mindedness.
A person who wishes to think critically about something like
politics or religion should be open-minded to different views and
cultures (Facione, Facione & Giancarlo, 1996).
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Evaluation Research Settings
Based on the VE methodology, two VE mockups on Jewish women
heritage were developed and tested among university students.
Research methodology: based on the mixed methods research model,
which incorporates both quantitative and qualitative methodologies
in the analysis and interpretation of data.
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Research population: 15 (pre-pilot) + 107 (pilot) undergraduate
students from three higher education institutions in Israel.
Religion: Jewish (N=69), Muslim (N=36) and Christian (N=2).
Age range: from 18 to 25.
Gender: 54% were female students.
Comparison groups: Jewish male students (N=49), Jewish female
students (N=20), non Jewish female students (N=37), non Jewish male
students (N=1)
Evaluation User Groups
Non-prejudice views
Acceptance of others
I. Usage characteristics of MOSAICA
1. Please describe the way you chose to explore MOSAICA system:
Where did you start from and how did you carryon?
2. What are the best aspects of the system for the user?
II. Content comprehension and understanding
1. How clear, coherent, interesting was the information presented
in the applications? Please provide a detailed answer for each
application you chose.
2. Are there any parts of the system which you found confusing or
difficult to fully understand?
IIII. Social impact and/or multi cultural evaluation
1. In your opinion, can MOSAICA promote open mindedness and
tolerance toward the Jewish culture? If so how?
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Students' gender explains only 4% of the post-questionnaire
results.
Students' religion does not influence the post-questionnaire
results.
Stepwise multiple regression
Semi-Structured Interviews results
1. The students seemed to be highly interested in the content
presented in the VEs.
I liked the way VEs present new material; I was encouraged to
explore the VE screens, trying not to miss any active button.
2. VE exploration encourages discussions among students about
cultural heritage preservation.
ST1
VE exploration caused me to think about the reasons for presenting
our culture and history. It is especially important nowadays, when
some people are trying to distort parts of our history.
ST2
Well… I'm rather confused by the fact that VE allows each user to
add contributions. It will make it possible to give wrong
interpretation to historical events.
ST1
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Pilot Study Summary
Users with initial high open-minded views, assert higher
pluralistic views after the VE exploration, compared to their
peers.
VE exploration has a potential to reduce differences in disposition
towards open-mindedness between users from different gender and
religion groups.
The topic of the VE plays an important role in its influence on
users' disposition towards open-mindedness.
Both VEs focused on the life stories of two Jewish women
scientists.
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Storytelling can affect listener both emotionally and
intellectually at the same time.
“Good stories raise questions and get people thinking"
(Begiebing et al., 2004).