Implementation of a Geographic Information System in the Chemistry Curriculum: An Exercise in Integrating Environmental Analysis and Assessment

Ramos, Brigitte L.; Miller, Samuel D.; Korfmacher, Karl

doi:10.1021/ed080p50

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…By virtue of its inherent interdisciplinary nature, this field offers educators exciting opportunities to engage students in PBL projects. Ramos et al 68 developed an environmental analysis lab where students used geographic information system (GIS) in conjunction with an atomic absorption spectrometer to monitor sediment accumulation and map lead concentrations in a local pond. Use of GIS allowed students to extend beyond chemical analysis, explore land management issues, and discuss erosion and the importance of wetlands.…”

Section: Use Of Pbl In Analytical and Environmental Chemistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Promoting Systems Thinking Using Project- and Problem-Based Learning

Nagarajan

Overton

2019

J. Chem. Educ.

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With a growing number of global challenges related to the environment, water, public health, and energy, there is an imminent need to teach chemistry in the context of its interconnectedness with other systems. Project-and problem-based learning are student-centered learning approaches which offer educators the opportunity to engage learners in solving complex real-world problems. By choosing a globally relevant project/problem and requiring students to utilize scientific methods to solve the problem, both problem-based learning and project-based learning are excellent strategies for educators to teach chemistry using a systems approach. This review summarizes key research studies which utilize project-and problem-based learning in the context of enabling learners to confront global problems and the wide applicability of these approaches to systems thinking.

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Section: Use Of Pbl In Analytical and Environmental Chemistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Promoting Systems Thinking Using Project- and Problem-Based Learning

Nagarajan

Overton

2019

J. Chem. Educ.

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“…While the focus of Lapp and Cyrus (2000) and Schultz's (2003) research studies is on learning to conduct science investigations with IT, our study focused on the reverse—learning to use IT while conducting science investigations. Similarly, while Ramos et al (2003) studied how to integrate environmental analysis and assessment by implementing GIS technology in the chemistry laboratory, our study conducted environmental research projects in order to foster learning about how to use the GPS and GIS. In order to use IT in research, immersing students in the study of real‐life problems is important.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Often studies in science learning focus on the use of relevant IT in conducting investigations that attempt to solve environmental problems. For example, Ramos et al (2003) in their GIS‐based project focused on the problem of lead in the sediment of a local pond. In the foregoing study, unlike our study, the educational aim was neither the technology used (i.e., GIS) nor the development of understanding of scientific inquiry.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Students acknowledged that the integration of the GIS, GPS, and sampling techniques helped in problems associated with measurements of natural resources, and understanding of the application of the GIS, GPS, and sampling techniques. In Ramos, Miller, and Korfmacher's (2003) study, undergraduate students performed a common analysis of lead in sediment using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and this research was incorporated into a GIS‐based environmental assessment of sediment deposition rates in a local pond. Student evaluations of the course at the end of the semester clearly indicated that they preferred the problem‐oriented approach to learning about heavy metal analysis of sedimentation to the more traditional modes of instruction.…”

Section: Scientific Inquiry With Innovative Technologies Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Engaging students in environmental research projects: Perceptions of fluency with innovative technologies and levels of scientific inquiry abilities

2010

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The purpose of this mixed‐method study was to investigate the changes in high school students' perceptions of fluency with innovative technologies (IT) and the levels of students' scientific inquiry abilities as a result of engaging students in long‐term scientific research projects focusing on community‐based environmental issues. Over a span of 3 years, a total of 125 ninth‐ through twelfth‐grade students participated in this study. A project‐specific Likert‐scale survey consisting of three parts (fluency with All Technologies, GPS/GIS, and CBL2/EasyData) was administered to all students as a pre‐ and post‐test. At the end of the study, 45 students were randomly interviewed and asked to elaborate on the changes in their perceptions of fluency with IT. The results indicated statistically significant increases (p < 0.001) in students' perceptions of their fluency with IT. Qualitative analysis of students' interview results corroborated the statistical findings of students' changes in perceptions of their fluency with IT. Students' research papers based on the environmental studies conducted at the interface of classroom and community were analyzed using the Scientific Inquiry Rubrics, which consist of 11 criteria developed by the researchers. Results indicated the students' abilities to conduct scientific inquiry for 7 out of 11 criteria were at the proficient level. This study clearly points to the correlation between the development of IT fluency and ability levels to engage in scientific inquiry based on respective competencies. Ultimately, this research study recommends that students' IT fluency ought to be developed and assessed concurrently with an emphasis on contemporary higher order scientific inquiry abilities. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 48: 94–116, 2011

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“…The importance of water quality in the environment has been highlighted in this Journal and elsewhere through special issues, , annotated bibliographies, , and laboratory exercises designed around the monitoring and removal of chemicals found in water supplies. − Although contaminants investigated in these laboratory exercises are important to monitor, some pollutants are of local or regional concern and are not always applicable to other watersheds. Oxidizable carbon, however, is a component of all surface water and becomes a serious pollutant at elevated levels because its presence stimulates the growth of bacteria with concurrent consumption of dissolved oxygen (DO).…”

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confidence: 99%

Determination of Biochemical Oxygen Demand of Area Waters: A Bioassay Procedure for Environmental Monitoring

Riehl

2012

J. Chem. Educ.

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A graphical method for determining the 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) for a body of water is described. In this bioassay, students collect a sample of water from a designated site, transport it to the laboratory, and evaluate the amount of oxygen consumed by naturally occurring bacteria during a 5-day incubation period. An accuracy check, prepared by spiking a portion of the water with a glucose–glutamic acid solution, is used to evaluate the student’s technique. This graphical treatment requires a larger number of samples than the standard method described in the literature, but it is not prone to errors caused by the quality of dilution water, which can invalidate measurements made with the standard method.

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Implementation of a Geographic Information System in the Chemistry Curriculum: An Exercise in Integrating Environmental Analysis and Assessment

Cited by 5 publications

References 18 publications

Promoting Systems Thinking Using Project- and Problem-Based Learning

Promoting Systems Thinking Using Project- and Problem-Based Learning

Engaging students in environmental research projects: Perceptions of fluency with innovative technologies and levels of scientific inquiry abilities

Determination of Biochemical Oxygen Demand of Area Waters: A Bioassay Procedure for Environmental Monitoring

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