This project successfully explores new technology in science education and library research by developing video tutorial lectures, podcasts, online visual lab demonstrations, multi-user virtual environments (MUVEs) activities, and professional development opportunities for teachers and students (6-16) to better utilize the Tufts University libraries and Wright Center for Science Education’s programs on climate change research.
This research and development project addresses a major need by incorporating information literacy and science education into the curriculum at Tufts University as well as adding value to the secondary education environment. This project lays the groundwork for transferring new educational technologies to other staff, faculty, students and secondary educators. This project helps promote the goals of the University to strengthen research and foster interdisciplinary collaboration in learning and research.
While the first-year of this project focused on understanding the Second Life environment, developing the project’s presence and how it works with science education content, the second-year has focused on adding additional multimedia content.
The initial year also sought informal feedback about the Second Life environment and the site as an educational tool from a small number of teachers, paving the way for a more formalized survey and analysis in the second-year. The second-year survey results and analysis will be available on this web site.
