HR: 0800h
AN: ED51A-0131    [Abstracts]
TI: Earth Exploration Toolbook Workshops: Helping Teachers and Students Analyze Web-based Scientific Data
AU: * McAuliffe, C
EM: Carla_McAuliffe@terc.edu
AF: TERC, 2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140, United States
AU: Ledley, T
EM: Tamara_Ledley@terc.edu
AF: TERC, 2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140, United States
AU: Dahlman, L
EM: LuAnn_Dahlman@terc.edu
AF: TERC, 2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140, United States
AU: Haddad, N
EM: Nick_Haddad@terc.edu
AF: TERC, 2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140, United States
AB: One of the challenges faced by Earth science teachers, particularly in K-12 settings, is that of connecting scientific research to classroom experiences. Helping teachers and students analyze Web-based scientific data is one way to bring scientific research to the classroom. The Earth Exploration Toolbook (EET) was developed as an online resource to accomplish precisely that. The EET consists of chapters containing step-by-step instructions for accessing Web-based scientific data and for using a software analysis tool to explore issues or concepts in science, technology, and mathematics. For example, in one EET chapter, users download Earthquake data from the USGS and bring it into a geographic information system (GIS), analyzing factors affecting the distribution of earthquakes. The goal of the EET Workshops project is to provide professional development that enables teachers to incorporate Web-based scientific data and analysis tools in ways that meet their curricular needs. In the EET Workshops project, Earth science teachers participate in a pair of workshops that are conducted in a combined teleconference and Web-conference format. In the first workshop, the EET Data Analysis Workshop, participants are introduced to the National Science Digital Library (NSDL) and the Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE). They also walk through an Earth Exploration Toolbook (EET) chapter and discuss ways to use Earth science datasets and tools with their students. In a follow-up second workshop, the EET Implementation Workshop, teachers share how they used these materials in the classroom by describing the projects and activities that they carried out with students. The EET Workshops project offers unique and effective professional development. Participants work at their own Internet-connected computers, and dial into a toll-free group teleconference for step-by-step facilitation and interaction. They also receive support via Elluminate, a Web-conferencing software program. The software allows participants to see the facilitator's computer as the analysis techniques of an EET chapter are demonstrated. If needed, the facilitator can also view individual participant's computers, assisting with technical difficulties. In addition, it enables a large number of end users, often widely distributed, to engage in interactive, real-time instruction. In this presentation, we will describe the elements of an EET Workshop pair, highlighting the capabilities and use of Elluminate. We will share lessons learned through several years of conducting this type of professional development. We will also share findings from survey data gathered from teachers who have participated in our workshops.
UR: http://serc.carleton.edu/eet/workshops/about.html
DE: 0800 EDUCATION
DE: 0805 Elementary and secondary education
DE: 0810 Post-secondary education
DE: 0830 Teacher training
DE: 0845 Instructional tools
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting