17-Oct-02 The keys to rapid development and dissemination of multimedia-rich, inter- active Earth science learning applications:

17-Oct-0217-Oct-02

http://http://tmf.gg.uwyo.edutmf.gg.uwyo.edu

The keys to rapid development and dissemination of multimedia-rich, inter-

active Earth science learning applications: educational objects and synergy

James D. MyersJames D. Myers11, Scott R. Linneman, Scott R. Linneman2 2 & James & James E. McClurgE. McClurg11

11Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of WyomingDepartment of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wyoming

22Geology Department, Western Washington UniversityGeology Department, Western Washington University

Educational Objects: DefinitionEducational Objects: Definition

• software for education, training or expertise transfer

• characteristics:– discoverable– modular– interoperable

• can be combined to create new learning applications

Educational Objects: ClassesEducational Objects: Classes

• exploratory modules

• visual components

• assessment tools

• virtual experiences

• electronic documents

Educational Objects: Exploratory ModulesEducational Objects: Exploratory Modules

• explore process, concept or event

• qualitative or quantitative

• interactive with differing levels of user control and input

• address variety of learning levels

Educational Objects: Exploratory ModulesEducational Objects: Exploratory Modules

Educational Objects: Visual ComponentsEducational Objects: Visual Components

• graphic representation of the world– documentary– imagined

• illustrate time, motion and space– scope/scale/power

• introduce students to regions/processes outside personnel experience

Educational Objects: Visual ComponentsEducational Objects: Visual Components

Educational Objects: Assessment ToolsEducational Objects: Assessment Tools

• provide feedback to student & instructor• summative or formative• immediate learner feedback• access all levels of learning• employ multimedia• tools can be:

– deployed at any point in a learning application– mixed and matched to create quizzes & exams

• linked to other learning resources

Educational Objects: Assessment ToolsEducational Objects: Assessment Tools

• traditional– T/F, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, ordering,

matching

• electronic– drag and drop– hot spot– ConcepTests– Venn diagrams

Educational Objects: Virtual ExperiencesEducational Objects: Virtual Experiences

• experience places, events and processes

• learner directed

• non-linear

• multiple-layers of information

• self-contained

• variable complexity


• variety of functions:– field trips– excursions– process investigations– regional tours– field projects– Earth system – human interactions– site visits


Educational Objects: Electronic DocumentsEducational Objects: Electronic Documents

• media-rich and interactive

• address different learning styles

• immediate feedback

• non-linear and learner directed

• employ: exploration, inquiry, observation

• built-in assessment



• types of electronic documents:– event descriptions– in-depth exercises– study guides– lecture notes– electronic textbooks– lab materials

• activity• lab exercise• lab manual

Educational Objects: Secondary ObjectsEducational Objects: Secondary Objects



Using EOs to Create Learning ApplicationsUsing EOs to Create Learning Applications





http://tmf.gg.uwyo.eduhttp://tmf.gg.uwyo.edu

SummarySummary

• educational objects are standalone software “chunks”

• reused and recombined to produce learning applications

• two roles for educators– developers: creates primary objects– users: produce secondary objects

• Earth science needs object dissemination method