Bringing GPS and GIS into the classroom

Technological applications such as digital mapping, GPS, and GIS technologies can add much depth to scientific explorations. For my wildlife biology class I taught this Spring semester, I wanted to find a way to incorporate this technology into the curriculum.

As a class, we began our integration of technology by exploring Google Earth and other digital mapping applications. We spent two days using Google Earth and navigated through content layers that presented information about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and a sea level rise simulation associated with climate change data. Once the students had become comfortable with Google Earth and gained some map reading skills, we began the second phase of our exploration – data collection. By using a digital topographical map of a local watershed (Indian River) we were able to generate the coordinates of our randomly selected plot centers. Once we had these data points, we could enter the values into handheld GPS units and physically find the locations.

Once the transects were established, students calculated percent canopy cover and counted the presence of fecal pellet groups. With the data, we were hoping to calculate an estimate of how many deer live in the Indian River watershed. We also will be able to evaluate the correlation between percent canopy cover and deer presence.

Using handheld GPS units was a huge success with my students. The group was so excited to get outside and explore the region we were studying. If I were to do this project in the future, I would spend more time studying digital topographical maps with my students. The limitations of time, budget, and technology affected the depth at which we could utilize technology in this project.

If I had more time to research another technology, I would like to use the Stand Visualization Simulation (SVS) program developed by the US Forest Service. With the percent canopy cover data my class obtained from our transects, I think it would be really interested to apply this data and create model that simulated our forest composition.

Please click on the links below to check out each of the lesson plans:

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lessons 5+6

Please click on the following links to explore data layers of Google Earth:

Add Content Layers Menu

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Modeling Sea Level Rise

The Overdominance of Computers Article Assessment

Personal Reflection:

As I read through Professor Monke’s article, I felt much more at ease compared to the previous articles. I can identify and agree with great enthusiasm with his message. Although my eyes have been widen to many new experience throughout my student teaching this year, the most startling was the realization that children are not being adequately prepared with appropriate social skills.

Without interacting directly with their world through outdoor exploration, communication skills and developing social skills, children become disengaged and robotic in their actions. Students of all ages are highly addicted to their gadgets, be it an ipod, cell phone, guitar hero, or lap top computer. Gone are the days of playing kickball or basketball after school. Why hang out with your friends when you can text them instead?

I truly believe that technology plays an amazing and quintessential role in education and preparing our students to be leaders in society. However, we still need to teach our children to be humans, not machines.

To see the full assessment please click on the following link: Overdominance

Assistive Technologies Article Assessment

Personal Reflection:

Although I am curious about some of the assistive technologies available, this article is such a contrast compared to the last article we read, “The Overdominance of Computers”. I think that assistive technologies can be a valuable tool in education, however, some of the programs I read about seem rather frightening to me.

If a child is struggling with literacy, or reading comprehension, it seems like working with a living, breathing, human being would be much more valuable than a computer. My hackles also rise slightly when I think about students with learning disabilities being removed from a group activity for their obligatory computer time. That seems like a horrible stigma to instill on any child.

The concept that watching videos can increase reading comprehension sounds like a dangerous idea to me. Granted I am not a reading teacher, but nonetheless, I believe that background knowledge should be acquired through experience rather than watched in a video. Children need to be taught how to think and interact with their reading. I fear that watching videos and having a computer generate your thoughts will roboticize our students.

We must remember that, computers can’t replace people!

To read the full article assessment please click on the following link: Assistive Technology

Great Resources and Online Communities to Check Out

I can't even imagine creating curriculum without the assistance of internet resources. The internet offers some amazing sites that to get the wheels spinning, or if you're really lucky, maybe even some great lesson plans ready for action.

For folks interested in hands-on science instruction, I have found some valuable sources that have shaped my curriculum development.


Websites:

1. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is an excellent source of wildlife information and even offers some curriculum ideas, although most of the materials are for a younger audience.

2. 2007-2008 marks the International Polar Year. This website is an invaluable resource for climate change research and information.

3. The Exploratorium museum has developed a web page that has all sorts of interesting links. While teaching a Physical Science class, I was able to modify some really cool lesson plans regarding "Skateboard Science".

Online Community:

While teaching a unit on wildlife biology this year, I found a particularly helpful blog titled: The biology blog. This has been a great source that publishes current discoveries in animal and plant biology. A RSS feed option is available, and has provided an easy way to find 'grabbers' for the beginning of class. My students are currently working on adding a post on the adaptation of animals in Alaska.

Viva a Revolucion!

The digital storytelling project has inspired me to become more vocal. There are so many stories that need to be told. Digital storytelling is a powerful way to communicate and express creativity. This project opened me to the idea of sharing more of my stories. I have long been paralyzed by shyness and many of my stories have been silent for years.

I look forward to finding a way to incorporate this medium into my classroom. Finding adequate technology for students may prove challenging, but I think the potential for high quality student work is huge.

To check out my digital story about volunteering with an agrarian reform movement in Brazil, please click on the following link: Viva a Revolucion!

Let Your Voices Be Heard!!!

We've all got a story to tell; now is the time to let it out. Each of you has experienced something so real, something so fantastic, something so unique that is just waiting to shake the world.

For this assignment, choose a memory or experience that you would like to relive through storytelling.

Once you have your vision, you will use i-movie, or movie maker software to construct a film short that brings your story to life through sounds, words, music, and images.

Your piece should consist of:
1. A story map to give you direction
2. A minimum of 12 images
3. A brief description of what your story communicates
4. A self-evaluation assessment of the quality of your work

For a better understanding of how this assignment will be assessed, please read over the rubric.

Story Map - Phase I

(Feel free to click on the image for a clearer view)

This is the beginning sketch of a digital story project I am in the midst of creating. Several years ago I spent a year volunteering with an agrarian reform movement called the Movimento Sem Terra (MST) in rural Brazil. It is time for me to revisit that chapter and share the story with you.