Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
Claudia Chaille
Committee Member
Patricia Grimes-Smith
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
afterschool clubs, amateur radio, curriculum enrichment, curriculum materials, Earth Science, educational opportunities, elementary schools, Halifax County, lesson plans, middle schools, physical science, radio stations, science classrooms, science curriculum, science instruction, science interest, Standards of Learning, student participation, teacher training, Virginia
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to provide supplemental educational opportunities to students in the Earth Science Curriculum by using an amateur radio station in the classroom during the 2001-2002 school year. Associated curriculum materials were introduced to enhance interest in the science curriculum. Materials to demonstrate many complex concepts were nonexistent in the standard Earth Science classroom in Halifax County, Virginia. The classroom teacher’s knowledge of the available material was insufficient without supplemental exposure and training. The researcher gathered materials from various sources and developed resources to fill this void.
Planned solution strategies included the development of subject area lesson plans to introduce complex concepts in physical science involving amateur radio. Strategies to train a teacher and students in the use of an amateur radio station installed in a science classroom were developed and implemented. The teacher was encouraged to continue using this station and materials as a source of curriculum enrichment in the physical sciences.
The interventions of this applied research project produced some of the expected results of improving interest in science. The general interest level of the students increased but not to the anticipated level. Participation in the afterschool amateur radio club activities increased beyond the anticipated level. The number of students passing the Standards of Learning exam in Earth Science increased to the 70% passing mark but did not achieve the gains hoped for in the project. Classroom grades met the expected gains of the study.
Time constraints at the high school level did not provide an optimal learning environment for the project. The researcher believes this project should be repeated with elementary and middle school students with simplified objectives to study the potential benefits.