Online Environmental Science Course

Science education researchers have often noticed a disconnect between the way students view scientific knowledge and learning and the way scientists or science teachers view them. Students often see science as a body of facts to be memorized rather than a way of looking at the world and building new knowledge. Online education can easily reinforce the fact-memorization view if delivery of content is the main emphasis. For this project, I hope to foster a view of science more consistent with that of practicing scientists through (a) explicit discussion of ways of thinking and learning in science,(b) assignments that require students to use and identify scientific thinking skills, and (c) required discussion of course content via small group and whole class blogs.