New Jersey NIE Content Experience
Edward Friedman (friedman@stevens-tech.edu)
Thu, 27 Mar 1997 17:16:05 -0500 (EST)
Hi!
I am Ed Friedman, PI of the New Jersey NIE. We are working
on Internet in Science implementation in K-12 science in
more than 600 SSI and urban schools in New Jersey. Our home
page has information about our project, workshops, training
materials, web sites of many of our participating schools
and most importantly - curriculum materials. The site is
http://k12science.stevens-tech.edu
Our position on content is that Internet should be used for
unique and compelling learning experiences. We focus on real time
data. We see data originating from 3 sources - other kids in
collaboratives ( the other kids should be contributing data
that cannot be obtained next door ) - from on-line resources and
from real scientific laboratories.
Our work with the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab is one of the most
interesting examples of going into a real science lab. PPPL
is making available their latest fusion research data for students
to analyze. We are beginning to see how kids can get a handle on
this material. PPPL also has a shock wave simulation of the
fusion machine available through our web site.
We have developed 10 principles that we think enhance Internet-based
exploratory learning. They are:
1- Utilization of dynamic, continuously updated "real-time" data
2- Opportunities for quantitative analysis
3- Activities that engage students in hands on activities as well
as use of remote data
4- Meaningful collaboratiion with other students
5- Student consultation with scientists and other relevant professionals
6- Teacher interactions with peers and experts via email, listservs, and
chat groups
7- Authentic assessment vehicles such as publishing student multimedia
portfolios on a Web site
8- Student science projects that encompass social, historical and economic
contexts
9- Enhancement of inquiry through Internet and full-text library search
10 - Teacher access to lesson plans and background materials from Web
sites
We are not usually able to adhere to all 10 principles in a given
curriculum module - but we try.
A published account of some of our curriculum experience appeared in
the T. H. E. journal and is available at the journal's web site at
http://www.thejournal.com/past/june/66frie.html
A particularly rich unit that was developed recently deals with
the Gulf Stream and includes data on ocean temperatures, currents,
weather, phytoplankton, fish, life in Iceland, activities of
Benjamin Franklin......
We are concerned about the use of Internet for applications that could
just as well be done with a CD-ROM or non web software - or a book. In
these early days of Web-based education, it seems more appropriate to
focus on unique and compelling applications which demonstrate special
capabilities of the technology.
-Ed