Prepared by Cathy Manduca 2/21/05
A major component of the DLESE Community service work plan is the development of exemplars or examples that demonstrate how DLESE resources can be used in teaching undergraduates. These examples also demonstrate ways in which individual or groups in the geosciences can develop portals and thematic collections to address challenges facing geoscience education. In addition to providing an on-line resource that assists users in understanding how DLESE can be used in their educational setting, these exemplars can be used in DLESE outreach and dissemination activities.
Three exemplars are currently available via the DLESE Community Services website.
- Integrating Research and Education
http://serc.carleton.edu/research_education/index.html
This site explores ways to bring modern research results into undergraduate courses. Thematic portals guide the user through thematic collections addressing All Things Cretaceous, Exploring the Yellowstone Ecosystem, Geoscience Education in the New Cyberinfrastructure, Teaching Mineralogy with Crystal Structure Databases and Visualization Software, Impacts of Resource Development on Native American Lands. Each portal provides a different example of portal design guiding the user through research results on a specific geoscience topic. The site also provides general guidance for expanding the broader impact of geoscience research. Development of the site began in 2004, current work is creating additional thematic collections and portals, as well as expanding the guidance regarding broader impacts. - Teaching Quantitative Skills in the Geosciences
http://serc.carleton.edu/quantskills/index.html
This site brings together resources from mathematics education with examples for teaching quantitative skills in the geosciences. Addressing both quantitative literacy in introductory courses and development of the sophisticated quantitative skills needed for graduate study and entry into the geoscience workforce, the site includes discussions of methods, teaching activities, and a special section of resources for students. Development of this exemplar began in 2001. Current work is focused on expanding the example collection, creating cross referenced pages addressing mathematical concepts important in entry level courses and the geoscience context in which they are taught, using workshops for faculty teaching quantitative concepts to upper division students to expand the materials addressing this area, and refinement of the quantitative skills vocabulary to better match the natural language patterns of geoscientists. - Using Data in the Classroom Portal
http://serc.carleton.edu/usingdata/index.html
Responding to increasing interest in using on-line data to teach about the Earth, this portal is testing new ways to discover on-line data and teaching activities that use data. It also provides a discussion of teaching methods and information about other projects addressing teaching with data. First created in 2001 as the result of an NSDL workshop, the collections on this site were substantially enhanced by the NAGT On the Cutting Edge project as a result of their workshop "Using Global Data Sets in Teaching Earth Processes." Currently, DLESE Community Services is working with the DLESE Data Access working group to develop this site further as an example of ways in which DLESE can support both developers and users of data rich activities.
Evaluation and Use: At this time, evaluation work on these sites has focused on site design and vocabulary testing. Results are being used to refine specialized vocabularies that support searching and browsing through the thematic collections and to improve navigation through the portals.
An examination of the impact of the exemplars on DLESE users, their teaching or their students learning has not yet taken place. However, the usage of the site serves as a type of a surrogate measure, assuming, for example, that users who spend more time at the site may be more likely to use an idea, or adopt an activity to try it in their class. There were 7500 visits to the DLESE exemplar sites in January. This can be compared to 20,000 visits to the DLESE discovery system in November or 10,000 visits in December.
A number of community-based projects creating portals and thematic collections are now underway. The exemplars are used as a basis for discussion when we consult with these new developers. Some are using the software employed in development of the exemplars (this was developed primarily through funding to the NSDL Starting Point and Earth Exploration Toolbook projects, and the CCLI-ND On the Cutting Edge project).
Ongoing Work: In addition to the on-going work described above, several new exemplars are under development:
- Preparing Teachers to Teach Earth Science: Aimed primarily at undergraduate geoscience faculty, this site lays out the role of geoscience courses in preparing elementary, middle school, and high school teachers. Teacher interviews highlight the successes deriving from their training and the challenges they face. Essays from faculty outline a variety of approaches for enhancing teacher preparation in geoscience departments. Course profiles provide guidance for designing similar experiences.
- Regional Exemplars for K-12 Teachers: In collaboration with New York, a state-based collection of resources is under development. In collaboration with teachers in Virginia, a research project is documenting how teachers actually use DLESE resources to modify their teaching practices.
- State Level Assessments in Earth and Space Science: This thematic collection will include information and assessment items supporting groups assessing teaching and learning of Earth and Space Science in the public schools in their state.
