My World: A Geographic Information System for Learners

这个为期33个月的项目将开发和评估“我的世界”，这是一个适合学习者的地理信息系统(GIS)、数据库和学习活动。该软件和附带的数据和材料将支持初中和高中地球科学、环境科学和地理课堂的探究式学习。该项目将完成软件的开发，建立一个用户社区，通过适当的活动创建和传播一个数据库，并进行广泛的评价。软件开发的重点是可用性和支架性、支持基于标准的教学的功能以及与学校需求的兼容性。社区发展努力在学校建立了一个由地理信息系统专家组成的社区，他们将为设计提供意见，开发相关材料，并提供专业发展。该项目将包括一个地球科学核心数据库，学习活动随时可供分发。评价工作将进行形成性和总结性评价。该计划的一部分包括与传统方法和既定方法的比较。与开发人员和出版商的密切合作已列入工作计划，国际地球科学协会预计这些材料将被列入未来的地球科学二级课程。

This thirty-three month project will develop and evaluate "My World," a learner-appropriate geographic information system (GIS), data library and learning activities. The software and accompanying data and materials will support inquiry-based learning in middle and high school Earth science, environmental science and geography classes. The project will complete development of the software, develop a community of users, create and disseminate a data library with appropriate activities and conduct an extensive evaluation. The software development focuses on usability and scaffolding, functionality to support standards-based instruction and compatibility with school needs. The community development effort builds a community of GIS experts in schools who will provide input to the design, develop associated materials and provide professional development. The project will include a core data library for the geosciences with learning activities ready for distribution. The evaluation effort will conduct formative and summative evaluations. Part of this plan includes a comparison to traditional and to established methods. Close cooperation with developers and publishers is included in the work plan and the PI anticipates these materials will be included in future secondary earth science courses.