SIOExplorer: Creating Educational Modules From Oceanographic Data

Can we make a research tool also work for student discovery experiences? Earth Science digital libraries primarily exist on two separate planes: interfaces for accessing first order data as collected by scientists (i.e. CruiseViewer, http://nsdl.sdsc.edu ), and libraries of indexed educational resources developed for use by teachers in the classroom (i.e. DLESE, http://www.dlese.org ). Typically, data moves from first order data collections to an educational resource by way of a scientist or teacher who must invest large amounts of time in devising an interesting and pedagogically useful learning module (website, computer program, printable hand-outs, etc.). The SIOExplorer team, having established an interactive first order data access interface, now looks to develop tools to ease the transition of that data into useful products for the classroom. Our goal is to focus on developing tools to create education modules for teaching with an initial focus on Plate Tectonics in the K-12 classroom. We plan to build an interface for educators that allow them to query digital libraries and create and assemble learning modules based on digital objects shared by scientists. Teachers will be taught to use the CruiseViewer application, a first order data repository, to help in creation of the learning modules. Ongoing development of education standards and established standards such as the National Science Education Standards will also be accessible and serve as guidelines for the learning modules. The resulting integration of the first order data with the learning module creates an investigative learning environment for the students.