 |
Course: NASA Resources and the America’s Virtual Farm Project Developing On-line Curriculum Activities |
|
|
Course: NASA Resources and the America’s Virtual Farm Project Developing On-line Curriculum Activities |
|
|
Agriculture affects everyone. Even though a very small percentage of the population actually works on a farm or ranch, there are firm connections between agrarian society and the urban family. Industry builds machinery with which the farmer plants and harvests; the transportation sector moves grain, livestock and supplies by truck and rail and in the most obvious case, grocery shelves are stocked with the products of the farm land.
With the advent of rapid communication, agricultural successes and problems are magnified and brought into public view. Bumper crops may help alleviate world hunger and yet these same surpluses tend to drop the commodity prices so low that the farmer cannot afford to continue. Issues that appear to be specific to agriculture such as crop prices, family vs. corporate farms and drought actually impact every aspect of society. It is imperative that this relationship be taught to everyone and analyzed for its impact on our lives. Your challenge in this course will be to learn technological skills and then to create a lesson that teaches about agriculture using your subject specialization.
As always, many of the solutions to these problems are expected to be solved by advancing technologies. New technologies may indeed contribute to some of the problem resolutions. Digital imagery applications will be able to generate precise maps, examine land management and erosion and analyze crops on a short term basis for nutrients and moisture. Satellite images may be used to look at the proximity of test plots of 'Genetically Enhanced' (or Bio Tech) and 'Conventional' corn, to examine the 'urbanization' of farm land around cities and to predict weather and climate changes.
The course, 'America's Farm' will provide a basis for students and teachers to take a look at possible agricultural problems and solutions. It will also provide an opportunity to consider how these same technologies used to solve agricultural issues can be applied to other societal issues.
About the Course: This is a web-based course
offering and will be conducted remotely over the web. The course is
designed for both novice and experienced teachers, at both the
elementary and secondary levels, looking to add to their skills in
online technology implementation into the school curriculum. Teachers
enrolling in this course will get training in the design, creation
and implementation of problem-based learning modules within a
web-based context. Using innovative NASA related software and
resources (supplied free), teachers will learn to use technology to
create activities and lessons centering around the University of
Nebraska’s America's Virtual Farm project. Teachers will also
acquire knowledge and skills that they can then use to develop
lessons that will expand their students' technological skills and
understanding of how agricultural issues and problems impact their
lives.
Class experiences will be fun and convenient. Teachers enrolling will
receive training in a variety of engaging instructional technology
skills including: the integration of technology and web-based
materials into the curriculum, digital image processing using NASA
resources, problem-based learning, and use of the World Wide Web.
Convenient Class Meetings: This course will meet
entirely on line. Course readings, software tutorials, communication
with the instructors, and all curriculum design activities will be
primarily web-based with some CD-ROM activities.
Technology Required: Individuals wishing to enroll
in this class should have an active Internet connection. The minimum
computer requirements to run the Image Visualization software that
will be provided to course participants are: Pentium 166 Windows
95/16 MB ram; Windows NT 4.0/24 MB ram; or a PowerMac with a 604
processor, system 7.6, and 32 MB of ram.
Software Required: Participants enrolling in this class
should have access to the following software: A web browser of your
choice, a word processor, and have a valid e-mail account. Some
potential, student generated projects may require the use of Adobe
PhotoShop 4.0 or newer and Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.
For more information please contact:
Paul Clark, Office of Internet Studies
University of Nebraska at Omaha, KH 110
6001 Dodge St.
Omaha, NE 68182
402-554-3839
e-mail:
paul_clark@unomaha.edu
Course preview online at: http://courseinfo.unomaha.edu/courses/TED8000pclark2/
login and password are guest