CoastLines: Commitment, Comfort, Competence, Empowerment, and Relevance in Professional Development

摘要: CoastLines was a 3-year, comprehensive professional development project for teachers funded by the National Science Foundation’s Innovative Technology Experiences Students and Teachers (ITEST) program. Conducted Approach, LLC – small research business located in Tucson, Arizona collaboration with scientists staff from Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) network, facilitated efficient deployment of geographic information systems (GIS) grade 7–12 schools urban suburban regions. Additionally, focused on areas high percentages low-income families ethnic populations not highly represented science engineering fields. Webinars summer institute presented involved students using GIS global positioning system (GPS) technology to conduct scientific studies coastal ecosystems watersheds LTER network. This chapter first describes model based previous evaluation work. Then, theoretical foundation is developed perspectives diffusion innovations, andragogy, self-determination theory. Next, CoastLines’ iterative design outlined within context Approach’s learning organization approach. After describing format activities 2008, evaluated terms years’ findings. Finally, recommendations practice are offered, as well opportunities future research.