published_or_final_version / abstract / Education / Master / Master of Education

abstract: Geologic field trips are among the most beneficial learning experiences for students as they engage the topic of geology, but they are also difficult environments to maximize learning. This action research study explored one facet of the problems associated with teaching geology in the field by attempting to improve the transition of undergraduate students from a traditional laboratory setting to an authentic field environment. Utilizing an artificial outcrop, called the GeoScene, during an introductory college-level non-majors geology course, the transition was studied. The GeoScene was utilized in this study as an intermediary between laboratory and authentic field based experiences, allowing students to apply traditional laboratory learning in an outdoor environment. The GeoScene represented a faux field environment; outside, more complex and tangible than a laboratory, but also simplified geologically and located safely within the confines of an educational setting. This exploratory study employed a mixed-methods action research design. The action research design allowed for systematic inquiry by the teacher/researcher into how the students learned. The mixed-methods approach garnered several types of qualitative and quantitative data to explore phenomena and support conclusions. Several types of data were collected and analyzed, including: visual recordings of the intervention, interviews, analytic memos, student reflections, field practical exams, and a pre/post knowledge and skills survey, to determine whether the intervention affected student comprehension and interpretation of geologic phenomena in an authentic field environment, and if so, how. Students enrolled in two different sections of the same laboratory course, sharing a common lecture, participated in laboratory exercises implementing experiential learning and constructivist pedagogies that focused on learning the basic geological skills necessary for work in a field environment. These laboratory activities were followed by an approximate 15 minute intervention at the GeoScene for a treatment group of students (n=13) to attempt to mitigate potential barriers, such as: self-efficacy, novelty space, and spatial skills, which hinder student performance in an authentic field environment. Comparisons were made to a control group (n=12), who did not participate in GeoScene activities, but completed additional exercises and applications in the laboratory setting. Qualitative data sources suggested that the GeoScene treatment was a positive addition to the laboratory studies and improved the student transition to the field environment by: (1) reducing anxiety and decreasing heightened stimulus associated with the novelty of the authentic field environment, (2) allowing a physical transition between the laboratory and field that shifted concepts learned in the lab to the field environment, and (3) improving critical analysis of geologic phenomena. This was corroborated by the quantitative data that suggested the treatment group may have outperformed the control group in geology content related skills taught in the laboratory, and supported by the GeoScene, while in an authentic field environment (p≤0.01, δ=0.507). / Dissertation/Thesis / Ed.D. Educational Leadership and Policy Studies 2012

Este trabalho se baseia em dados obtidos a partir do registro das interações comunicativas entre monitor e alunos de sexta série do ensino fundamental envolvidos em atividades conjuntas realizadas em de três viagens de estudo de ecossistemas litorâneos realizadas no Parque Estadual da Ilha do Cardoso (SP). Dentre as várias atividades de campo que se realizam nas viagens de estudo, investigamos o que chamamos, neste trabalho, de aula de campo: momentos em que os monitores protagonizam uma interação em que se fornece, de forma dialogada e com participação variável dos alunos, explicações relativas ao ambiente que se visita. Nosso objetivo foi investigar as interações comunicativas entre monitores e alunos durante as aulas de campo, procurando revelar quais modos semióticos são utilizados nas explicações, bem como investigar as funções que esses modos desempenham em tais atividades. Procuramos ainda explorar algumas especificidades no uso dos modos semióticos nas aulas de campo, em comparação ao seu uso em sala de aula descrito na literatura. Nosso referencial teórico é construído a partir de duas linhas principais: uma delas traz aportes das abordagens sócio-culturais aos processos educacionais e a outra vem de trabalhos que procuram investigar tais processos do ponto de vista da multimodalidade da comunicação. Nas comparações que tecemos com o ensino em sala de aula, dialogamos especialmente com o trabalho de C. Márquez (2002), que investiga aspectos do ensino de ciências na sala de aula por meio de uma abordagem multimodal. Nossos dados são de natureza discursiva, embora estejam incluídas aqui formas verbais e não verbais de discurso: foram registrados a fala e os gestos produzidos nas aulas de campo. A análise se dá em vários níveis, partindo da produção de enunciados pelos participantes e chegando na estrutura da atividade como um todo. Monitores e alunos utilizaram apenas duas modalidades semióticas: a fala e os gestos. É o monitor que conduz a aula de campo: ele é quem produz a maior parte das mensagens durante as sessões de trabalho. A fala dos monitores é predominantemente temática e tem uma função secundária de gerir e controlar a construção da narrativa científica. A fala e os gestos da aula de campo têm muitas funções em comum com as desempenhadas por esses modos na sala de aula. No entanto, existem algumas diferenças: no campo, por falta de suporte material para imagens e textos escritos, fala e gestos têm que cumprir funções que em sala são realizadas por esses modos. A principal diferença está na participação do mundo empírico na aula de campo, na forma de base referencial para a construção conjunta de uma representação, dentro do que denominamos marco referencial empírico. Esta construção se dá por meio do uso dos modos da fala e do gestual, que regulam as ações de observação feitas pelos alunos e a negociação dos significados. / This research work is based on data collected from the observation of communicative interaction between field teacher and 6th grade students participating in joint activities during three field trips studying coastal environments at Cardoso Island State Park (SP). Amongst several field activities that take place in field trips, we investigated what we call here field classes: the moments when the field teacher provides, in a dialogic manner, and with variable participation of the pupils, explanations regarding to the ecosystems they are visiting. Our aim was to investigate the communicative interactions during the field classes trying to reveal which semiotic modes are used in the explanation, as well as to find out which roles this modes play in such activities. We also tried to study some possible specific features of the use of semiotic modes in field classes compared to their use in the classroom described in the literature. Our theoretical background has two main sources: the sociocultural approaches to the educational processes, and the research that investigates such processes from a multimodal communication point of view. In our comparisson with classroom teaching, we were based on C. Márquez (2002) who researched science teaching in classroom from a multimodal perspective. Our data are of discoursive nature, including verbal and non verbal means of discourse: we recorded speech and gestures produced in the field classes. We made a multilevel analysis, from the utterance production by the participants, to the level of activity structure as a whole. Field teachers and pupils used only two semiotic modes: speech and gestures. It is the field teacher that conducts the field class, being responsible for the production of most of the messages during the sessions. Field teacher\'s speech in mostly thematic, and has a secondary function of organizing and controlling the construction of the scientific narrative. In the field classes, speech and gestures have many functions in commom with the ones they have in classroom teaching. However, there are some differences: in the field classes, due to the lack of material support for the use of images and written text, speech and gestures have to play the roles that those modes play in classrom. The main difference seems to be the part that the empirical world takes in a field class, as referencial aids to the construction of a representation, within what we called empirical referencial frame. The construction of this representation takes place with the use of the semiotic modes of speech and gestures, which regulates the student\'s action of observation and the negociated meaning making.

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The aim of this study is to find out to what extent Swedish teachers use locally significant history as a part of their teaching, how they define it, and how they value the use of it. By doing qualitative and open-ended interviews with two teachers at upper-secondary school and two high school teachers from different parts of Sweden, we managed to see a pattern in which all the teachers expressed similar experiences related to the subject. By coding, we discovered that the teachers' answers could be grouped in different themes regarding the teacher's own interest in the subject, local history as a tool for teaching along with its practical possibilities and obstacles. The geographical area in which the teachers worked, the financial aspect of arranging for field trips or visits as well as adapting to the Swedish curriculum for history were mainly discussed in the latter. Although there were slight differences between the answers, the four teachers expressed mostly positive attitudes towards using local history as a method in their teaching. If they were given the possibility to do so regarding funding, they expressed a desire to further implement it in their teaching. This would make it easier to arrange school trips or be able to hire people from historical and cultural institutions to come and visit the school.

The geology learning environments in college generally fall into three categories: learning based on lectures, field excursions, and laboratory activities. Engaging students in these environments and developing their interest, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving ability have always been challenging in college geology education. This research developed virtual learning methodology and integrated it into traditional geology education to achieve active learning in order to engage students in the learning process. Virtual geology learning tools (VGLTs), high-resolution virtual representation of geologic objects and/or the realistic virtual 3D environment embedded with real-world terrains and animated photorealistic game objects, are the outcome of the effort. VGLTs were integrated into different college geology learning environments and were tested for their effectiveness. The primary finding of this study is that integrating VGLTs into traditional college geology education was affirmed by geology professionals and non-professionals as being helpful in creating effective learning environments that can facilitate the active learning of students in both formal and informal educational settings. VGLTs helped address students’ needs in many aspects of college geology education by utilizing interactive and realistic virtual technologies. VGLTs are important because they can help address different aspects of traditional college geology learning, increasing the versatility and integrity of virtual learning in tandem with traditional learning. However, VGLTs should not replace learning in the physical environment since geology is a discipline that aims to increase our understanding of the physical world.

Environmental education (EE) programs strive to develop an environmentally literate citizenry capable of addressing the world's environmental problems. However, environmental concerns have become increasingly politically polarizing. As middle school-age youth are developing their own identities, they are likely becoming aware of the dominant political attitudes and environmental messages within their own communities. This thesis investigates the influence of sociopolitical context on student learning outcomes following participation in EE field trips and whether particular approaches produce more positive learning outcomes for students from different contexts. We used a quantitative approach employing pre-existing databases and geographic information systems to create measures of sociopolitical context for each school in our sample based on political partisanship and socioeconomic status. I have organized my research in three chapters: Chapter 1 presents a more comprehensive introduction to the field of EE and extended literature review regarding the question this research intends to address. Chapter 2 presents a quantitative study exploring the influence of sociopolitical context on student outcomes following participation in an EE field trip. Chapter 3 presents a reflection of my graduate learning experience and what I hope to achieve in the future. Results suggest that EE field experiences lead to less positive outcomes for students from wealthier Democratic contexts. While we also found some differences in program characteristics associated with outcomes for each sociopolitical subgroup, effect sizes were small and thus warrant further investigation. We discuss potential explanations for these trends and call for further research on the influence of sociopolitical context and socioeconomic status with relation to EE. / Master of Science / Environmental education (EE) programs strive to develop an environmentally literate future citizenry capable of addressing the world's most pressing environmental problems. However, these environmental concerns have becoming increasingly political polarized in recent decades. As adolescence is a critical period for identity development, middle school-age youth are likely aware of the political attitudes and environmental messages that dominate within their own communities. This thesis investigates the influence of sociopolitical context on student learning outcomes following participation in EE field trips and whether particular approaches to EE produce more positive learning outcomes for students from these different contexts. We used a quantitative approach employing pre-existing databases and geographic information systems to create measures of sociopolitical context for each school in our sample based on the political partisanship of a particular geographic area, as well as its interaction with socioeconomic status. Results suggest that EE field experiences lead to less positive outcomes for students from wealthier Democratic contexts; however, the authors call for further research on which approaches lead to better outcomes for students from different contexts.

Forestry education in high schools can be an effective method for introducing students to forest management. To study its use and purpose, we conducted a web-based survey of high school science teachers in the Southern Piedmont region of the United States investigating their forestry education attitudes and teaching practices. A total of 1024 surveys were delivered and 324 returned for an adjusted response rate of 32%. Results indicate that most teachers (82%) agree forestry should be taught in high schools and do so most frequently by presenting forestry concepts in the context of ecosystem services, followed by physical and physiological characteristics of trees. Concepts related to products, uses, and management are taught least frequently. Variables that predict teaching frequencies for each of these three concept groups include classes taught in the last 5 years, environmental education program training, and childhood location in addition to attitudes toward and knowledge of forest management. Also, it was found that over half (57%) of the teachers surveyed do not take field trips to forests and less than 25% do so multiple times per year. Variables that predict whether or not teachers take field trips to forests include confidence in teaching forestry concepts, involvement in school natural resources related extra-curricular activities such as 4-H and Envirothon, and the presence of a forest within walking distance of the school. The most widely reported constraints to teaching forestry concepts and taking field trips to forests are mandated standards or curriculum (60%), money (40%), time (32%), mandated testing (19%), and training, interest, and infrastructure (19%). / Master of Science

Experiential learning theory stresses the importance of adequate preparation and reflection surrounding concrete experiences. This study explores the relationship between preparation and follow-up classroom experiences and the outcomes of environmental education (EE) field trips, including environmental literacy, 21st century skills, positive youth development, satisfaction, and self-reported behavior change. Surveys with both students and their school teachers who attended over 300 EE programs reveal that both pre-trip preparation, especially concerning logistics, and post-trip follow up, related to the subject matter of the field trip, were significantly related to more positive student outcomes. The authors recommend both schools and organizations take into consideration how they can work together to create more holistic learning experiences. / Master of Science / Environmental and science education in the form of school field trips have the capability of to enhance student learning, increase motivation to do well in school, and develop skills such as thinking critically and collaborating with peers. Learning theory illuminates the importance of in-school preparation and reflection surrounding field trips. We wanted to discover what happens in the classroom before and after these field trips that contribute to creating truly valuable educational experiences. Student and teacher surveys from over 300 field trip programs highlight the importance of preparing students both logistically and with the educational content, as well as following-up after the field trip by reviewing and utilizing newly gained knowledge and skills. We recommend schools and field trip providers, such as parks, zoos and nature centers, collaborate to create more holistic science learning experiences.

This study endeavors to delve into the utilization of field trips by secondary school teachers as an educational tool within religious education. Our aim is to explore teachers' approaches and attitudes towards both virtual and physical field trips in this context, filling a gap identified in existing research. Through a comprehensive review of national and international literature, it became evident that the teacher's perspective on this matter has been relatively understudied. To address this gap, qualitative interviews were conducted with teachers, either in-person at their school or via remote platforms like Zoom. The interviewed teachers were based in the southern region of Sweden, spanning both urban centers and rural areas. Our approach during interviews involved posing open-ended questions, providing teachers with the opportunity to freely articulate their perspectives, ensuring an authentic expression of their opinions. The interview results highlighted a wide array of factors influencing the utilization of field trips by teachers in their educational practices. It became apparent that both physical and virtual field trips present distinct advantages and challenges, with common as well as unique considerations identified by the teachers. While approaches to incorporating field trips varied among the educators, there was unanimous agreement on their value as a resource in religious education.