Abstract:

The use of satellite imagery in the classroom is often limited to the interpretation of fixed analogue images in school books. Because of this, the full potential of remote sensing which lies in the depth of the data is not at all exploited. The project "Learning to understand the Earth - Using modern satellite image technology for earth observation for adolescents" (Space4Geography) presents a flexible, digital approach which seeks encouraging, facilitating and increasing the application of satellite imagery and its digital analysis in school. This aim is achieved by the development of a web-based learning platform enabling students to work with original satellite images in ten learning modules addressing students from 5th to 13th grade.

The underlying educational concept of the modules on the one hand aims at fostering students' geographic knowledge and image analysis skills in a motivating, interactive way. On the other hand it offers teachers a way for an easy integration in class. In order to create student motivation, the principle of problem-based learning is implemented: Each module features an overarching storyline through the eyes of an identification figure dealing with real geographical questions (e.g. the California Drought, floodings in Germany). The module content is partitioned in separate knowledge units, presenting multimodal information (texts, pictures, animations, interactive maps, videos). The learning success is assessed in interactive tasks. Depending on the student’s score, the level of complexity of the following learning units is adapted to the individual needs, thus realising the requirement of differentiation in classroom by the implementation of adaptive learning paths.

The centre of each module is the direct work with original high-resolution satellite images of up-to-date geographic phenomena. The integrated web-based remote sensing software “BLIF” provides an educationally based toolset to explore and analyse satellite images without requiring prior experience in satellite image interpretation. After successful module completion, each student receives an individual certificate.

In order to guarantee thematic relevance and applicability in geography class, the module topics have been derived from a comprehensive curricula analysis within all federal states of Germany. For an easy integration in school practice, the modules are designed to be completed in 90 minutes (two school lessons). Since the platform is completely available online, no further infrastructure than a computer or tablet (responsible design) with internet access is required. After registration, teachers are granted access to an internal area where they can manage their classes and supervise their students’ learning progress.

After technical implementation, an evaluation phase with approximately 800 test students ensures the platform’s educational and scientific quality.

Space4Geography is accompanied by two dissertation projects, one dealing with the identification of design principles for the platform, the other analyses the correlation of motivation and freedom of choice within the adaptive learning paths.

The presentation at EDULEARN will comprise the current state of the platform, an exemplary learning module and first results of the evaluation process.

Keywords:

Geography Education, Adaptive e-learning Environment, Satellite Images.