Center for Environmental Education

Image of environmentalists in a stream. Image of a goose. Image of environmentalists studying specimens in a lab.

Research

[ EE Needs Assessment of K-12 Teachers - Spring 2000 ] | [ Reading the River Program ]
[Aquatic Ecology for Teachers 2002]
[ KEQC 2002 Online Public Opinion Poll on the Environment ]

Aquatic Ecology for Teachers 2002

Course Effectiveness Evaluation
Pre-and Post Surveys
     [ Teacher Confidence Levels ] | [ 5 Point Likert Scale Instrument ] | [ Paired Samples T-Test ]
Pre-Survey
     [ Extent of Classroom Practices ]
Post Survey Open-Response Questions
     [ Strengths of Course ] | [ Suggestions ]

Teacher Confidence Levels (24 Items)

Use of equipment and technology.
Use of teaching strategies (hands-on, inquiry-based, field-sites, integration of the sciences & other subjects).
Use of community resources.
Conduct field investigations.
Ability to teach water quality topics, science & real life, social issues, careers.

5 Point Likert Scale Instrument

Paired Samples Correlations

N
Correlation
Sig.

Pair 1                      WATERKI & BWATERKI 13 .786
.001

Pair 2                      EQUIP & BEQUIP 13 .737 .004

Pair 3                      LABWAR & BLABWAR 13 .757 .003

Pair 4                      INTERNE & BINTERNE 13 .536 .059

Pair 5                      MICROSC & BMICROSC 13 .843 .001

Pair 6                      VIDEOSC & BVIDEOSC 13 .823 .001

Pair 7                      HANDSON & BHANDSON 13 .492 .088

Pair 8                      INQUIRY & BINQUIRY 13 .662 .014

Pair 9                      FIELDST & BFIELDST 13 .842 .000

Pair 10                    INTEGRSC & BINTEGRSC 13 .154 .615

Pair 11                    INTEGSU & BINTEGSC 13 .381 .199

Pair 12                    SPEAKER & BSPEAKER 13 .220 .471

Pair 13                    FIELDWS & BFIELDWS 13 .533 .061

Pair 14                    FIELDTR & BFIELDTR 13 .406 .168

Pair 15                    GEOLOGY & BGEOLOGY 13 .690 .009

Pair 16                    MICROST & BMICROST 13 .794 .001

Pair 17                    MACROST & BMACROST 13 .869 .000

Pair 18                    FISHSTU & BFISHSTU 13 .810 .001

Pair 19                    TERREST & BTERREST 13 .818 .001

Pair 20                    WATCHEM & BWATCHEM 13 .698 .008

Pair 21                    WQTOPIC & BWQTOPIC 13 .659 .014

Pair 22                    SCILIFE & BSCILIFE 13 .570 .042

Pair 23                    SCICOC BSCICOC 13 .433 .139

Pair 24                    SCICAREE & BSCICAREE 13 .683 .010

Paired Samples T-Test

Paired Differences

Mean

Standard Deviation

Standard Error Mean

95% Confidence Inter of the Difference

Lower

Upper

Sig.
(2-tailed)

Pair1 WATERKI- BWATER	-1.2308	.8321	.2308	-1.7336	-.7280	-5.333	12	.000
Pair 2 EQUIP -BEQUIP	-1.1538	.8987	.2493	-1.6969	-.6108	-4.629	12	.001
Pair 3 LABWAR - BLABWA	.1538	.8006	.2221	-.3300	.6377	.693	12	.502
Pair 4 INTERNE - BINTERN	-.3846	.6504	.1804	-.7777	8.444E-03	-2.132	12	.054
Pair 5 MICROSC - BMICRO	-.6667	.6513	.1880	-1.0805	-.2528	-3.546	12	.005
Pair 6 VIDEOSC - BVIDEO	-7.69E-02	.7596	.2107	-.5359	.3821	-.365	12	.721
Pair 7 HANDSON - BHAND	-.6154	1.0439	.2895	-1.2462	1.544E-02	-2.125	12	.055
Pair 8 INQUIRY - BINQUIR	-.5385	.6602	.1831	-.9374	-.1395	-2.941	12	.012
Pair 9 FIELDST - BFIELDS	-.7692	.7250	.2011	-1.2074	-.3311	-3.825	12	.002
Pair 10 INTEGRSC - BINTEG	-.7692	.9268	.2571	-1.3293	-.2092	-2.993	12	.011
Pair 11 INTEGSU - BINTEGS	-.8462	.8006	.2221	-1.3300	-.3623	-3.811	12	.002
Pair 12 SPEAKER - BSPEAKE	-.9231	1.1152	.3093	-1.5970	-.2492	-2.984	12	.011
Pair 13 FIELDWS - BFIELD	-1.0000	1.0801	.2996	-1.6527	-.3473	-3.338	12	.006
Pair 14 FIELDTR - BFIELDTR	-1.4615	1.2659	.3511	-2.2265	-.6965	-4.163	12	.001
Pair 15 GEOLOGY - BGEOL	-1.6923	.7511	.2083	-2.1462	-1.2384	-8.124	12	.000
Pair 16 MICROST - BMICRO	-1.2308	.5991	.1662	-1.5928	-.8687	-7.407	12	.000
Pair 17 MACROST - BMACR	-1.4615	.5189	.1439	-1.7751	-1.1480	-10.156	12	.000
Pair 18 FISHSTU - BFISHST	-.9231	.6405	.1776	-1.3101	-.5360	-5.196	12	.000
Pair 19 TERREST - BTERRES	-1.2308	.5991	.1662	-1.5928	-.8687	-7.407	12	.000
Pair 20 WATCHEM - BWAT	-1.2308	.9268	.2571	-1.7908	-.6707	-4.788	12	.000
Pair 21 WQTOPIC - BWQT	-1.0000	.7071	.1961	-1.4273	-.5727	-5.099	12	.000
Pair 22 SCILIFE - BSCILIFE	-.6923	.7511	.2083	-1.1462	-.2384	-3.323	12	.006
Pair 23 SCICOC - BSCICOC	-.9231	.7596	.2107	-1.3821	-.4641	-4.382	12	.001
Pair 24 SCICAREE - BSCICA	-.3846	.7679	.2130	-.8487	7.945E-02	-1.806	12	.096

Frequencies: Extent of Classroom Practices

	Low Extent: Rarely or Yearly		High Extent
92%	Field trips to water sites	85%	Connect science and real life
92%	Geology studies of streams	77%	Use hands-on teaching
85%	Natural environment sites	69%	Connect science and social issues
85%	Macroinvertebrate studies	55%	Use inquiry teaching
85%	Fish studies	54%	Use internet
85%	Use water test kits
69%	Use water study equipment
69%	Use guest speakers
69%	Field terrestrial ecology

Strengths of Course

Diversity of topics
Specialized expertise of instructors
Depth of content
Integrating the sciences
Hands-on
Real-world
Opportunities to brainstorm with peers
Community resources
Course notebook
Resources provided
Length of course

Suggestions for Improvement

Add more industry perspective
Provide more specified criteria for notebook
Two-week vs. one-week course
Include a pond or lake study
Provide data sheets for field work
Provide opportunities for more field work