Research Study Information Page for new PBS TeacherLine Course
"Global Climate Change Education for Middle School"
Eligible SC middle school teachers are invited to participate in an exciting opportunity to not only be among the first teachers to experience a new PBS TeacherLine online graduate course, but to also help evaluate the course effectiveness.
The course, “Global Climate Change Education for Middle School” (known as the GCC Course) is a 45-hr graduate level course developed with a grant from NASA.
As an incentive for teachers to participate in the evaluation, the $249 course tuition is waived and participants will receive a $100 stipend for completing the course and evaluation!
Participants who successfully complete the course will earn 60 SC renewal credits at no additional charge.
If graduate credit is desired instead, participants will be able to purchase 3 hours of graduate credit from one of our participating institutions after the course begins; see our graduate credit information for cost and provider details.
Study Eligibility and Participation Options:
Both study options below are open to grade 5-8 science, technology, engineering, or mathematics teachers who agree to enroll in and complete the online GCC course and participate in the data collection procedures. Candidates must also have the level of student access indicated per research study.
If you are eligible and interested in participating, please see the course and research study details below and then complete and return the applicable consent form.
- A six-week "Summer Research Study" will take place during the summer of 2010 (6/23/10 to 8/3/10) and will be available to the first 4 eligible teachers. Teachers in this study will need access to some students but do not necessarily have to be teaching; these students could be students in summer school, children from church, in the library, any students. [4/20/10 - We are no longer accepting applications for this study per quota met.]
- A six-week "Fall Research Study" will take place in fall 2010 (10/27/10 to 12/7/10) and will be available for the first 20 eligible teachers. Teachers in this study must be teaching and must have their own students and classroom. [4/28/10 - We are no longer accepting applications for this study per quota met.]
GCC Course Overview:
GCC is a PBS TeacherLine online course that introduces innovative ways for you and your students to gain a deeper understanding of how human and natural factors contribute to climate change and the lasting impact of those changes. The course provides guidance for using effective STEM instructional techniques that integrate student exploration of NASA’s climate data from satellites, air-borne sensors, balloons, and rockets, as well as use of NASA models and other web-based resources.
PBS TeacherLine Course Overview:
PBS TeacherLine's high quality, standards-based courses offer professional development opportunities in an accessible online format that makes learning fun, flexible and collaborative. PBS TeacherLine courses are facilitated and most are six weeks long. You can earn SC renewal credits, graduate credits, and ISTE certification; some courses even offer PACE credits.
For more information about TeacherLine courses, please explore our site via the links at the top left side of this page; you'll especially want to review our About TL Courses and FAQ pages.
Research Overview:
The Center for Research in Educational Policy (CREP) at The University of Memphis and Interactive Educational Systems Design, Inc. are conducting the studies which will address the following research questions.
To what extent has participation in the GCC Course:
- Strengthened teacher knowledge of the science of climate change?
- Increased teacher awareness of relevant, available NASA resources?
- Led to actual integration of NASA data and resources into classroom instruction?
- Fostered greater use of interdisciplinary approaches in GCC instruction?
- Led to increased adoption of effective STEM teaching techniques?
Teacher participants will complete a pre-post assessment, a two-part Classroom Practices Survey, and be eligible for a classroom observation and phone interview.
If you have research study questions, please contact Crissy Cox, the research associate for the study, by phone: 901-678-1399 or email: clcox2@memphis.edu.
We hope you join us for this important opportunity!
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