Earth2class: educational technologies to support teacher enhancement programs

"Earth2class" is a unique science/math/technology learning resource that utilizes a variety of technologies to support teacher enhancement. Two accompanying presentations describe the workshops for teachers presented by research scientists and the use of teleconferencing, a web site, and other methods used to reach science teachers. This presentation describes more details of the technology used in the project.

The Internet is a medium that is transforming society in general, and education at all levels, due to its intrinsic characteristics of enhancing communication, collaboration, and information sharing. "Earth2Class" is being developed to take advantage of the best resources offered by the Internet, connecting teachers to experts and to each other, in the hopes of bringing about transformative influence in the education process. All the technology being implemented is grounded on sound pedagogical theory, based on constructivist principles that allow teachers and students to make best use of access to such a huge resource.

In order to accompish these goals, "Earth2Class" has been developing a distance learning component that is eaily accessible, keeping in mind bandwidth limitations, with useful tools available on all platforms that optimize remote collaboration. These tools include: organized web links to enrich the topics under study; shared online teaching activities that allow teachers to apply new information directly in their classrooms; content-rich presentations from both research scientists and curriculum specialists that can be used as reference sources; interactive sections, including feedback and "ask-an-expert" forms; FAQs databanks; lesson plan forms; and more.

For collaboration, videoconferencing using Netmeeting allows participants to interact with scientists and content specialists, both by viewing the speaker and being able to ask questions, as well as sharing the speaker's desktop to see what he/she is pointing to or clicking on. All that is needed are a videocam, microphone, and Netmeeting software. High bandwidth is very much a plus, but not a requirement. Distance collaboration has become very accessible at low cost.

Among other free online collaboration tools that participants can take advantage of is "Egroups," which enables use of a list-server, discussion board, chat, posting of files, group calendar, database, etc.

The key to "Earth2Class" is its ability to provide one example for scientists and educators to utilize all this new technology for innovative ways of learning, teaching, and sharing knowledge gained through research. This program can become an important resource for teacher and student enhancement in atmsopheric and oceanic science education.