Welcome to my study in Science Education!

Thank you for your willingness to participate in this study. I will be posting announcements, links, and documents to this blog that you may need throughout the study. It is also a great space for you to post your questions and share comments and concerns with other participants. Of course, if you want to keep your questions/concerns private, you can always email me!

I shall post the 'ad' here in case there are any new, potential participants interested in joining - though I should say that the NSTA listserve has been the best!  Such dedicated, like-minded biology teachers - thanks guys!!!
Also, all important documents are in the dropbox (if you have not received an invitation from me to download dropbox, please let me know!) - see link: www.dropbox.com

WANTED:

Approximately 20 biology teachers (who teach genetics at the high school level) to help me implement my study on the use of virtual laboratories – you don’t need to be technologically savvy nor do you need to be trained in using the particular laboratory!

What this will require of you…

• ·         Use virtual laboratories FIVE times between March and May of 2010 (dates to be determined by you).  Complete lessons will be provided to you (along with links to curriculum standards and appropriate assessments).  You will use these lab.s with only HALF of your classes and with the other half, you will continue teaching as you normally would (you can’t use the virtual labs with these classes though!).
• ·         During June 2010, you will administer a survey to students about their experiences in the classroom (the survey will include some questions on content, attitudes towards science, and perceptions of the learning environment).
• ·         You do have to ensure that each student in your class has access to a computer with an internet connection to access the virtual laboratories.

What you get out of this…

• ·         Being a part of the scientific research process we so often stress
• ·         Doing laboratories that align with state standards for the biology curriculum for which you need not prepare, clean up, or worry about safety hazards and expensive equipment
• ·         Enriching students’ educational opportunities with something they may not otherwise experience
• ·         Adding to your repertoire of teaching resources as you are free to keep any materials I provide
• ·         Obtaining detailed results personalized for each of your classes
• ·         Entry into a raffle to get $100 worth of coffee!
• ·         Helping a fellow biology teacher get her PhD!

Thank you so much.
Please email me if you are interested: RachelOser@gmail.com