The 8th Symposium on Education

4.4
INTERACTIVE WEB MODULES FOR TEACHING BASIC METEOROLOGY

Steven A. Ackerman, Madison, WI; and T. Whittaker

Traditionally, introductory atmospheric science courses are taught in a lecture format, possibly with an accompanying laboratory session. Some concepts, for example contouring maps, are best taught by providing students with lots of practice sessions while providing immediate feedback on their analysis. In the traditional class structure it is sometimes difficult to provide the required number of practice and feedback exercises needed by some students. The WWW, with its easy-to-use graphical interface, increasing popularity, and nearly universal accessibility offers a tremendous opportunity to enhance the teaching of these courses by providing activities for students without encumbering teachers. This project exploits this new technology as an effective teaching tool by engaging students in learning through doing. Example interactive modules include contouring (http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/wxwise/contour/index.html), station model decoding, stability and cloud formation, satellite interpretation, data analysis, forecasting rain, snow, freezing rain and sleet. The education modules are highly interactive and provide instantaneous feedback. The intention is to provide opportunities for students to practice what they learned in class and to assist those students who do not acquire the skills or understanding during normal class hours. Student assesments of the modules will be presented

The 8th Symposium on Education