Web-Based Activity Field Test Report January 2000

The NASA Glenn Research Center Learning Technologies Project (Glenn LTP) is dedicated to supporting educational excellence in mathematics, science, and technology in grades K-12. A primary goal of the project is to research and assist in the development of supplementary educational materials. The Glenn LTP involves teachers in the development of the educational materials; teachers and students are involved in field tests. Evaluation forms provide feedback on the usefulness, quality, and appeal of the materials, along with recommendations for improvement.

During the summer of 1999, the Glenn LTP cosponsored one teacher professional development workshop to foster increased proficiency and use of computer technology within K-12 schools. Workshop participants created Web-based activities for K-12 classrooms using computer applications taught in the workshops. The 8 teachers created 27 Web-based activities for use with Glenn LTP educational products (EngineSim and the Beginner's Guide to Propulsion). The activities can be accessed from the Glenn LTP home page at http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12.

During the 1999-00 school year, teachers who used the activities in their classrooms were asked to provide feedback via an online evaluation form or a printed form. In addition, students provided feedback via a printed form. The following report summarizes the feedback from 2 teacher and 18student evaluations from the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania. It is separated into teacher feedback (overall average* of 4.0 on the activities evaluated) and student feedback (overall average* of 3.8 on the activities evaluated). The feedback is being incorporated into revisions of the activities.

A list of the teachers/schools participating in the field test is shown below.

	Average Rating*
Educational quality of activity:	4.0
Correlation with standards:	4.0

Type of instruction used:

Individual at Computer	X
Small Group at Computer	X
Whole Class/One Computer	__

Choice	Number of Responses
Group Discussions	1
Integration into Existing Curricula	1
Lecture	1
Demonstration	1
Hands-On Activities	2
Team Activities	2

Features of the activity you found particularly helpful:

The experiment illustrated the law of motion Nice integration of the use of computer with activity

How to make the activity more effective:

Work in groups of three next time

Additional comments:

"Nice Website! I'd Love to go again." "The activity went well and led to a wonderful class discussion the next day."

	Total Number of Responses	Average Rating*
Student enjoyment of activity:	13	3.8
Educational quality of activity:	16	3.8
How activity appealed to students:	13	3.6

How the class used the activity:

Choice	Number of Responses
Lecture	16
Demonstration	16
Hands-on Activities	16
Team Activities	16

Type of Instructional Format Used:

Individual at Computer	X
Small Group at Computer	X
Whole Class/One Computer	__

What students liked most about the activity:

• Working together on the experiment
• A new learning experience
• Using the computers
• That the experiment was a hands-on activity
• Interesting topic

What students liked least about the activity:

The experiment didn't last long enough The experiment should have had more trials All of the reading involved The smell of the materials used in the experiment Talking in groups instead of doing the experiment

Suggested changes to activities:

Include more trials in the experiment Would try different amounts of vinegar and baking soda Would experiment with different brands of film canisters Would not change activity

Comments:

I think that we should do more activities like these. They bring great fun to learning. It would have been more exciting with additional experiments.