An internet-based, guided inquiry approach to geoscience education using interactive models and supporting effective teacher practice.

The Technology Enhanced Learning of Science (TELS) Center is developing online curriculum modules (called TELS Projects) to fulfill its misson of uniting university, research, and secondary school partners to increase the numbers and diversity of teachers who are using innovative, proven, technology-enhanced science curricula to impart key scientific concepts and methods to their students. TELS projects are built on the technology framework of the Web-based Inquiry Science Environment (WISE) and engage students in using interactive modeling and simulation tools as well as real world evidence to address questions of scientific controversy. A Global Warming TELS project designed for middle school students will be presented in this paper. While many instructional models, data sets and activities are available on the Internet, very few are embedded within an instructional framework that also supports effective teacher management of the learning process and the concurrent development of student skills in presentation and debate. Features of the WISE environment that enable learning from technology-enhanced science curricular modules will be demonstrated along with a description of research and teacher professional development activities that are part of the TELS Center.