InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Ocean Sustainability > Instructor Stories > Michelle Kinzel
 Earth-focused Modules and Courses for the Undergraduate Classroom
showLearn More
These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The materials are free and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »
How to Use »

New to InTeGrate?

Learn how to incorporate these teaching materials into your class.

  • Find out what's included with each module
  • Learn how it can be adapted to work in your classroom
  • See how your peers at hundreds of colleges and university across the country have used these materials to engage their students

How To Use InTeGrate Materials »
show Download
The instructor material for this module are available for offline viewing below. Downloadable versions of the student materials are available from this location on the student materials pages. Learn more about using the different versions of InTeGrate materials »

Download a PDF of all web pages for the instructor's materials

Download a zip file that includes all the web pages and downloadable files from the instructor's materials
Initial Publication Date: November 22, 2016

Michelle Kinzel: Using Ocean Sustainability in GEO 101 — Introduction to Physical Geography at Southwestern College

About this Course

An introductory course for non-majors.

26
students
One 3-hour lab per week.

Geo 101 Course Syllabus (Acrobat (PDF) 406kB Aug5 16)

A Success Story in Building Student Engagement

This module was piloted with a dynamic and enthusiastic group of non-majors students in a science course. These students began the semester with trepidation and a fear of science, and after completing this unit, they were confident in speaking and writing about ocean sciences and issues of sustainability. I am confident these modules help develop strong environmental stewards who are empowered to make good citizen decisions regarding our oceans.

"Students became more interested and engaged in ways and means to sustain our oceans as the units progressed. They expected to learn about science and they were delighted to learn about their roles as stewards of the ocean environment. It made the science real and applicable to their own lives."

My Experience Teaching with InTeGrateMaterials

I modified this module for time in my courses. Since I had the leisure of using these modules in a three-hour laboratory course, I was able to present homework, preparatory materials as well as wrap-up or follow-up materials in the same class session. For some modules, I taught two on the same day.

Relationship of InTeGrate Materials to my Course

My Geography 101 course is a 16-week long course, and covers basic physical geography on all spheres, atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. Because the Ocean Sustainability Module included a focus on climate change, the information learned in the units was referenced in many other labs and class periods.

Assessments

I used many of the assessments included with each unit, including the worksheets and posters created during the gallery walk. Because I had flexibility with my class time, I had students elect a delegate when they completed group work, and the delegate shared the major findings and conclusions orally with the class. For a summative assessment, I assigned them to complete concept sketches as part of their final exam, and allowed them to summarize all six units in diagrams out of class. The concept sketches were not successful overall, and have been replaced with a fact sheet that will be a clearer and more engaging activity for all students.

Outcomes

I had great expectations for the module. By participating in all stages of the units, either authoring, editing, or both, I had a very comprehensive and cohesive idea about the content of the module and how it addressed the learning goals. I was quite pleased with the results, on a weekly basis during the activities and overall with the summative assessments. The students enjoyed the units and provided terrific feedback for areas that just did not work in the classroom or with non-science majors. I had hoped to instill in my students a sense of empowerment to accompany a college-level knowledge base regarding climate change; I wanted them to know what was happening and more importantly, what role they, as consumers and global citizens, could play in the present and future. I was very satisfied with the feedback and results. I am confident my students will make wise consumer decisions based on their experiences with this unit.

Explore other InTeGrate Instructor Stories

Already used some of these materials in a course?
Let us know and join the discussion »

Considering using these materials with your students?
Get advice for using GETSI modules in your courses »
Get pointers and learn about how it's working for your peers in their classrooms »

These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »