Using Problem Based Learning (PBL) Module Development as a Content Framework for ESS

Teacher Professional Development

Dr. Mark P. TurskiDepartment of Environmental Science and PolicyPlymouth State UniversityGeological Society of AmericaCharlotte, 2012

What is Problem Based Learning (PBL)

• “Is designed to "simultaneously develop both problem solving strategies and disciplinary knowledge bases and skills by placing students in the active role of problem-solvers confronted with an ill-structured problem that mirrors real-world problems.” (ESSEA, 2009)

• Student-centered pedagogy in which students learn about a subject through the experience of problem solving. They learn both thinking strategies and domain knowledge. The goals of PBL are to help the students develop flexible knowledge, effective problem solving skills, self-directed learning, effective collaboration skills and intrinsic motivation. (Hmelo-Silver, C.E.,2004

When in doubt use a PictureSteps two through six may be conducted concurrently (at the same time), as new information becomes available. As more information is gathered, the problem statement may be refined or altered.

essea.strategies.org

Cognitive Dissonance

To often this is what teacher teach.When it should look something like this

Best Website is Berkley’s Understanding Sciencehttp://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/0_0_0/howscienceworks_02

To start off, I am lucky to actually know that a coral reef is a complex grouping of multiple organisms. While knowing this very basic fact, I also know that the reef is also a support system for life. There are many organisms than live within and attached to the reed not to mention the coral reef. Besides these simple facts I have no real knowledge on this area.

With that being said, I believe that the coral dying from the change in the temperature of the ocean is due to die. I mean the evolution of coral has had to see the temperature of the ocean change drastically at least once. The last set of reefs was to be built around the time of the ending of the last glacial period

Corals live in colonies and are part of the cnidarian phylum. They are a type of polyp that secrets a hard calcium carbonate substance. This substance creates immense coral reefs after thousands of years. We benefit from corals living in colonies because they continue to build the reefs generation after generation, otherwise we wouldn't have the large expanse of the coral reefs that we do (or did in some cases). These reefs are made home to other aquatic species. Corals are found in oceans at various depths depending on the water temperature. They are typically found close to the Earth's equator where the water is warmest. Coral comes in different colors, sizes and shapes and they are endangered, but I don't remember the reason.

One that I found the most interesting was the photosynthetic relationship between the reefs and photosynthetic protists. These protists reside endosymbiotically within the cells of the coral polyps, where they take in sunlight and share the products of photosynthesis with the coral. In return, the protists get nutrients and a place to live. And this is only possible in areas with shallow, clear water and where sunlight levels are high. These are usually in subtropical areas. When waters become polluted and cloudy, this blocks the protists’ ability to absorb sunlight, hindering their photosynthetic ability and ultimately killing the coral. The warming of ocean temperatures also kills these protists, which results in a phenomenon called coral bleaching. This concept of bleaching was one that I did not understand when I took Zoology last year and that would like to learn more about in this unit.

1. It appears that the majority of corals live in the Pacific Ocean in volcanically/tectonically active zones. Has their been research into the connection between the water chemistry in these areas and the lifecycle of the coral (hydrosphere)?

2. How is plate movement and volcanic/tectonic activity influencing corals long and short term (lithosphere)?

3. How much research has been done around implanting manmade reefs in natural settings (biosphere and hydrosphere)?

4. What do long-term climate models show about the major atmospheric and oceanographic changes that have happened in the past 25 million years (hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere)?

5. Is there any evidence that corals have migrated during historic warming or cooling periods? If so, do scientists anticipate this might not continue to happen? And are the time scales of coral migration/evolution relative to the changes the species are facing today hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere)?

The Group Questions

1. It appears that the majority of corals live in the Pacific Ocean in volcanically/tectonically active zones. Has their been research into the connection between the water chemistry in these areas and the lifecycle of the coral (hydrosphere)?

2. How is plate movement and volcanic/tectonic activity influencing corals long and short term (lithosphere)?

3. How much research has been done around implanting manmade reefs in natural settings (biosphere and hydrosphere)?

4. What do long-term climate models show about the major atmospheric and oceanographic changes that have happened in the past 25 million years (hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere)?

5. Is there any evidence that corals have migrated during historic warming or cooling periods? If so, do scientists anticipate this might not continue to happen? And are the time scales of coral migration/evolution relative to the changes the species are facing today hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere)?

What I have them do

• Annotated bibliography (general)– Time sensitive

• Video clips library• Photo library• Activities Library

Must be different from ESSEA materials

ESS Analysis

The first step The synthesis step

http://essea.strategies.org

Sphere Event –Using Google Docs

Sphere Event

• Artificial Reef > HydrosphereIf artificial reefs are not properly designed, placed, or

cleaned, they can cause serious damage in and to the water where they reside (see list of disadvantages here). If the artificial components have not been cleaned or managed properly, they could contain toxic chemicals (such as heavy metals, gasoline, and benzene) that pollute the aquatic environment, including the ecosystems they strive to create.

Synthesis

• B>L>H>E>• Sediment from increasing fertilizer use is having a significant

impact on the water quality of coastal areas. Since the 1960’s, the annual nitrogen fertilizer use has increased more than six fold globally adding nitrogen and phosphorus to the waters of the coastal regions. This means that there is more sediment which can cover coral reefs causing coral bleaching to occur (Fabricius, 2005). Is it the fertilizer that is settling out of solution or is the fertilizer contributing to a secondary reaction? E.g. – incr N & P which incr algae, which removes oxygen which then kills …

Rubric

The Big Project – Choice A

The Big Project Choice B

Issues

• Tech Savvy• Topic avoidance– Usually based on major

• Grade Level bias– I’ll dispute the research but I have a small sample– No gender bias

• Work situation

References

Hmelo-silver, C.E., (2004) Problem-based learning: What and How Do Students Learn?. Educational Psychology Review,16(3), 235-266.

Institute for Global Environmental Strategies. (2009). Earth system Science Alliance Courses. Retrieved Nov.4, 2012, from http://esseacourses.strategies.org/

Paleontological Research Institution (2010) Museum of the Earth. Retrieved Nov. 4, 2012 from http://www.museumoftheearth.org

Understanding Science. 2012. University of California Museum of Paleontology. 3 January 2012 <http://www.understandingscience.org>.