Technology Requirements
Since our target audience is students enrolled in an online science course, there is an assumption that at minimum they will have access to internet, and to at least one device. The technology that has been suggested to use is free, or at minimum has free entry points. The tools below that you will require are dependent on which lessons within the overall project that you choose to complete. Don’t worry if you are unfamiliar with these tools as this curriculum guide will help to facilitate their use.
1. Computer and internet access
2. Mobile Device
The second lesson is designed to have students go out into their local environment to collect videos, pictures and sound recordings. This could be completed with a smartphone, tablet, or digital camera.
3. Google Drive/Microsoft OneDrive
Students will need to be familiar with the storage of documents and photos within the Cloud storage system provided to their school.
4. Google Maps
Students will use a teacher generated Google Map to pin photos they collect in lesson three. If you have not created a Google Map before, see the following tutorial for steps.
5. Padlet
Padlet is an online tool that allows users to post text, images, documents, and videos to a blank wall. It is collaborative and can be set as public or private, and can be embedded in a LMS. Educators have to establish an account and the free account permits 3 concurrent Padlets.
6. Naturelynx
Naturelynx is an Alberta based app that allows users to share photos of local plant and animal species. The tool is available for both android and apple products and can be download for free @ https://naturelynx.ca/.
To explore how to use the app you can view the following webinar. The data within the platform can be downloaded and used in the classroom to complete further analysis.
Though NatureLynx can be used by anyone, it is geographically limited to Alberta. If you are located outside of Alberta, iNaturalist is an alternative, Canada Wide citizen science app.
7. ArcGIS
ArcGIS provides guides and a lesson repository for teacher on the Learn ArcGIS site. Review the classroom implementation guide before beginning.
Rationale for ArcGIS
ArcGIS StoryMaps was selected as an authoring tool for the final project because of its ability to connect our multiple frameworks. StoryMaps fits at the intersection of connecting students to place and engaging students in participatory learning and connected civics. Consider this description of StoryMaps from its creators:
“A story can effect change, influence opinion, and create awareness—and maps are an integral part of storytelling. ArcGIS StoryMaps can give your narrative a stronger sense of place, illustrate spatial relationships, and add visual appeal and credibility to your ideas.”
We specifically wanted to create a learning environment that allows for students to feel socially connected to others and as if their contributions matter. In this respect, StoryMaps allows students to document their own experiences with their local environments, identify relevant environmental issues, and publish their final projects to a broader audience. Like Jenkins (2009) description of participatory cultures, StoryMaps has a relatively low barrier for expression and is a place where novices can work in the same medium of more experienced mentors. Ecology professionals, among other types of professionals, routinely use ArcGIS software. In that regard there is an authenticity to constructing a final product in ArcGIS that is inline with with constructionist theory as outlined by theorists like Papert and Harel (1991) and Kafai (2006). Moreover, being able to communicate scientific ideas is an integral component of the scientific method and an ongoing theme in the Alberta Science curriculum; with StoryMaps students can communicate scientific ideas in a professional and compelling way that includes multimedia affordances and interactivity.
Lastly, teachers will appreciate a tool like ArcGIS as it is free for Canadian educators and provides support through plenty of exemplars and classroom resources that are organized by both type and subject area.