Concepts in Earth Science can be challenging for students to grasp as real examples relating to curricular content are often difficult or simply cannot be brought into the classroom to provide students with first-hand experience with them. Size and accessibility are factors which compromise students’ abilities to form mental models that accurately reflect scale, so comparative models are often relied on in place of actual phenomena or their processes. For students to conceptualize these appropriately, spatial-thinking and scale must be understood which requires abstract reasoning that teachers cannot presume is already present. Lack of opportunities to collect first-hand data presents an additional problem, which results in an over-reliance on data banks that detract from the authentic mirroring of processes within the scientific community.

Technology offers innovative means of exploring Earth Science phenomena through computer-generated simulations and models as well as methods of data collection, data analysis, and ways of communicating scientific research (Edelson, 2001). It is a component of authentic scientific practice reinforcing its inclusion in classrooms, and considering its potential as a catalyst for educational reform, devising specific uses of computers to bridge content and process standards in science may provide educators with a sustainable approach for technology integration. It can also enhance the inquiry process by breaking down the walls of the classroom to connect with information and individuals worldwide, store content for future use or reflection, and present student learning to both a local and global audience synchronously or asynchronously.

With WorldWatcher being designed to “bring the power of scientists’ computational tools to learners (Gordin & Pea in Edelson, 2001), it presents an authentic learning environment in which students can develop inquiry skills through a scientific research process. Using data visualization and tools for analysis, students can explore Earth science phenomena and identify emerging patterns in data using scaled models. This provides a feasible solution to the challenge of students accessing realistic representations of the Earth by providing a window into understanding complex phenomena that students are known to develop misconceptions about. Not only do students have the opportunity to work with data collected by the scientific community in WorldWatcher, they’re also presented with the chance to apply their understanding from previous scaffolded lessons as they create and collect their own geographic data to further investigate the relationship between geography and temperature. This technology merges practical and realistic scientific inquiry-based pedagogy that motivate students to construct and refine knowledge that “support its future retrieval and use” (lEdeslon, 2001) and students’ ability to transfer this useful knowledge to new contexts.

image: Earth from Space by NASA Goddard Photo and Video released under a CC Attribution license

References

Edelson, D.C. (2001). Learning-for-use: A framework for the design of technology-supported inquiry activities. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 38(3), 355-385.

Edelson, D., Salierno, C., Matese, G., Pitts, V. & Sherin, B. (2002). Learning-for-use in Earth Science: Kids as climate modelers. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, New Orleans, LA.