Digestoville: A Multisensory and Inclusive Approach to Enhance Younger Learners’ Understanding of Human Digestive System

Abstract

Many students, particularly those from under-resourced schools, struggle to grasp complex science topics like the human digestive system due to a lack of engaging and interactive teaching tools. Digestoville is a multisensory educational intervention designed to enhance younger learners' understanding of the human digestive system. By integrating tactile, auditory, and visual elements, this approach aims to make complex biological concepts accessible to students from underserved backgrounds. This is where students can touch, see, and interact with learning aids – to make science more accessible and enjoyable. Instead of relying solely on textbooks, Digestoville introduces tools like storytelling, a special apron with detachable organs, and an educational game. These tools allow students to visualize and understand how the digestive system processes food. A mixed-methods study was conducted during STEM Teach Fest with an underprivileged school to test how effective Digestoville is in improving younger learners’ understanding of digestion. The results showed that 42% of respondents were more engaged and had a better grasp of the topic. Teachers also found Digestoville helpful and adaptable to classroom settings. This study demonstrates the potential of multisensory teaching methods to bridge learning gaps, enhancing inclusivity and effectiveness in science education for younger learners. These findings underline the importance of such approaches in creating more engaging and accessible learning environments. Future research should explore the scalability of Digestoville in various educational settings.