HR: 14:40h
AN: ED52A-05    [PDF]
TI: Earth Science From a New Perspective: An Online Course for K-8 Teachers
AU: * Lacy, S J
EM: Sara_Lacy@TERC.edu
AF: TERC, 2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140 United States
AU: Munson, D
EM: Deborah_Munson@TERC.edu
AF: TERC, 2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140 United States
AB: Can teachers effectively learn Earth science in an online course? Earth Science from a New Perspective is offered in the Lesley University/TERC Science in Education Online Master's Degree Program. The program is delivered online. It is designed for K-8 teachers, emphasizes inquiry-based science, and aligns with National Science Education Standards. This course focuses on the Nile River, and it invites participants to uncover the connections between that river the rest of the Earth's systems. Each Earth science investigation provides the opportunity to explore the river system through observation, modeling, and data analysis. Participants learn to use visual representations such as satellite images, photographs, and maps as sources of data. They analyze precipitation, topography, and hydrology data collected by scientists. As an integral part of their investigations, they use a stream table to model and test hypotheses. We have designed investigations that use web-based tools to enable participants to manipulate, analyze, and interpret data to answer Earth science questions. The participants access electronic science resources and use threaded discussions to collaborate and to report their research results. They ultimately apply their knowledge of river systems, and their skills in data analysis, to an independent investigation of another river. In this presentation we will describe the strategies we use to promote understanding of Earth science in the online environment.
DE: 6605 Education
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting