Scaffolding, software and scenarios: Applying Bruner's learning theory to energy scenario development with the public

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Scaffolding, software and scenarios : Applying Bruner's learning theory to energy scenario development with the public. / Upham, Paul; Carney, Sebastian; Klapper, Rita.

In: Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Vol. 81, No. 1, 01.2014, p. 131-142.

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

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@article{696684cf9d3e426da82ef08fedf44523,
title = "Scaffolding, software and scenarios: Applying Bruner's learning theory to energy scenario development with the public",
abstract = "While there is a literature on public and stakeholder engagement in environmental research and scenario development, less attention has been given to the individual learning processes that take place in these contexts. We present public perceptions of emission contraction scenarios for the UK city of Manchester and discuss this in terms of learning theory developed by Lev Vygotsky and Jerome Bruner. A key theme of this was the combination of three learning tools: scaffolding techniques, scenario building and backcasting. Overall, participants had little trouble envisaging a city-scale 41% CO2 emissions reduction by 2020 relative to a 2005 baseline. However envisaging a 90% CO2 emissions reduction for 2050 was found much more difficult, inducing discussion of whether some forms of compulsion might be justifiable. Despite detailed discussion and real-time, modelled feedback on the emissions implications of various energy technology scenarios, participants largely retained their original attitudes towards individual technologies and demand reduction options.",
keywords = "Bruner, Climate, Energy, Learning, Perceptions, Public opinion, Scenarios, Sustainability sciences, Communication",
author = "Paul Upham and Sebastian Carney and Rita Klapper",
year = "2014",
month = jan,
doi = "10.1016/j.techfore.2013.05.001",
language = "English",
volume = "81",
pages = "131--142",
journal = "Technological Forecasting and Social Change",
issn = "0040-1625",
publisher = "Elsevier B.V.",
number = "1",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Scaffolding, software and scenarios

T2 - Applying Bruner's learning theory to energy scenario development with the public

AU - Upham, Paul

AU - Carney, Sebastian

AU - Klapper, Rita

PY - 2014/1

Y1 - 2014/1

N2 - While there is a literature on public and stakeholder engagement in environmental research and scenario development, less attention has been given to the individual learning processes that take place in these contexts. We present public perceptions of emission contraction scenarios for the UK city of Manchester and discuss this in terms of learning theory developed by Lev Vygotsky and Jerome Bruner. A key theme of this was the combination of three learning tools: scaffolding techniques, scenario building and backcasting. Overall, participants had little trouble envisaging a city-scale 41% CO2 emissions reduction by 2020 relative to a 2005 baseline. However envisaging a 90% CO2 emissions reduction for 2050 was found much more difficult, inducing discussion of whether some forms of compulsion might be justifiable. Despite detailed discussion and real-time, modelled feedback on the emissions implications of various energy technology scenarios, participants largely retained their original attitudes towards individual technologies and demand reduction options.

AB - While there is a literature on public and stakeholder engagement in environmental research and scenario development, less attention has been given to the individual learning processes that take place in these contexts. We present public perceptions of emission contraction scenarios for the UK city of Manchester and discuss this in terms of learning theory developed by Lev Vygotsky and Jerome Bruner. A key theme of this was the combination of three learning tools: scaffolding techniques, scenario building and backcasting. Overall, participants had little trouble envisaging a city-scale 41% CO2 emissions reduction by 2020 relative to a 2005 baseline. However envisaging a 90% CO2 emissions reduction for 2050 was found much more difficult, inducing discussion of whether some forms of compulsion might be justifiable. Despite detailed discussion and real-time, modelled feedback on the emissions implications of various energy technology scenarios, participants largely retained their original attitudes towards individual technologies and demand reduction options.

KW - Bruner

KW - Climate

KW - Energy

KW - Learning

KW - Perceptions

KW - Public opinion

KW - Scenarios

KW - Sustainability sciences, Communication

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84888016859&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.techfore.2013.05.001

DO - 10.1016/j.techfore.2013.05.001

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:84888016859

VL - 81

SP - 131

EP - 142

JO - Technological Forecasting and Social Change

JF - Technological Forecasting and Social Change

SN - 0040-1625

IS - 1

ER -