|
|
 |
Communicating
Ocean Science for Informal Audiences (COSIA)
 Course
#s:
628:307
712:592
Taught by:
Professor Scott Glenn
Janice McDonnell, Educator
TA: Corinne Dalelio
The goal of the course is to help science majors become more aware of
K-12 and public science education. By taking this course students will:
-
be introduced to the importance of K-12 education,
public outreach and the "Broader Impact" of their future
work as ocean scientists;
-
gain practical experience at the Liberty Science Center
in Jersey City, NJ, in established communication techniques and pedagogy.
Draft Session Outline
Session 1: Communicating Ocean Science
This session will introduce students to informal science education.
What is it? What are we doing in this class? Students will receive all
relevant information about class requirements including a mandatory
practical experience at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ.
 Session
2: Teaching Ocean Science
This session begins with students sharing and discussing their ideas
about what is ocean science and what should be included in teaching
ocean science. The goals of the course and the rationale for teaching
ocean science, including its interdisciplinary nature are discussed.
Session 3: Teaching and Learning
The session begins with students accessing prior information about teaching
and learning by thinking back on how different teaching approaches affected
them as learners. They are challenged to think about a model for how
people learn which can be used to structure learning in a museum, aquarium,
or science center.
Session 4: Building Towards Inquiry
This session starts with an overview of the essential features of inquiry–what
it looks like in a museum, science center or aquarium, how it is reflected
in exhibits, programs, and the educational advantage of student-driven
learning incorporating subtle shifts towards inquiry.
Session 5: Blank Slates or Clever Minds
The session begins with a discussion that encourages students to think
about how people learn and change their ideas. Students will brainstorm
methods and strategies for dealing with learners misconceptions and
are offered further ideas about how to set-up effective learning situations.
Session 6: Questioning Strategies
In this session, students learn how a teacher’s approach can influence
the types of question s/he asks students. The class is then introduced
to the idea of using a questions "map" to lead successful
discussions.
Session 7: Epistomology
Students discuss what is knowledge, how do people acquire knowledge
and how do people “know"?
Session 8: Designing a Lesson
In this session, student practice planning lessons incorporating the
many concepts addressed. They are then given a list of ocean science
concepts to review and discuss. They are challenged to choose one of
the concepts and to come up with a hands-on activity designed to get
Liberty Science Center visitors to question these misconceptions about
the concept.
Examples:
-
Visitors might study the adaptations of a hermit
crab, then be challenged to examine adaptations of other organisms
during their visit.
-
Others might investigate sand from around the world
to learn how to find evidence in the sand of its origins. They could
then attempt to sleuth out the origins of various sands they encounter
in tanks throughout the aquarium.
-
They might investigate adaptations of birds living
in wetlands, then examine wetland birds in an exhibit, focusing on
these adaptations.
-
They might focus on fish form and function, then analyze
form and function in fish throughout the aquarium. They might learn
about density and global ocean currents or the complexities of managing
world fisheries.
The session ends with a discussion about ocean misconceptions they
have encountered or that they think others have.
 Session
9: Assessment
In this session, the instructor provides participants with information
about testing and assessment. The discussion focuses on the conclusion
that different kinds of tests test for different kinds of knowledge–and
both kinds are important. Students learn that current educational practice
strives for a balance of a variety of testing methods.
Session 10: Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment
This session delves into the realm of diversity and how to address the
needs of all visitors to aquaria, science centers, and museums. The
emphasis in this session is on language acquisition and developmental
issues.
Session 11: Field Trip TBA
Session 12-14: Students Present Their Designed Lessons
|
|
Home
2008 Shore Bowl
The Cool Classroom
Communicating Ocean Science: College
Course
Marine Activities, Resources & Education
(MARE) Program
Using Ocean Observing Systems
in K-12 Education: Final Report
Post-Workshop Resources
Center for Ocean Sciences
Education Excellence, Mid-Atlantic (COSEE-MA)
Jacques Cousteau National
Estuarine Research Reserve (JCNERR)
|
