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Course Syllabus
EnEd 5560
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Class meeting time: |
Thursdays - 9:30 am - noon @ UMD SpHC 9 |
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Class meeting location: |
SpHC 9 |
| Assignments: |
Unit #1; Unit #2;
Unit #3; Unit #4; Unit #5 |
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Instructors: |
Dr.
Ken Gilbertson |
| Phone |
726-6258 |
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Email: |
kgilbert@d.umn.edu |
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Course web url: |
http://www.d.umn.edu/~kgilbert/EnEd5560/ |
Course Description
This course is intended to strengthen your working
knowledge of the research literature and related issues pertaining
to science education and outdoor education. Outcomes of this course
will be an increased knowledge of the salient research in teaching
people about, through, and for the outdoors using science education
and outdoor education. We will focus on research design and methods
(not analysis).
The Outdoor Education component will focus on
research design and methods. This aspect will mostly cover studies
that a historical and/or landmark. The Science Education portion
of the course will cover current science education literature and
will focus predominantly on the current state of research in our
field. The course will culminate with a discussion on the future
needs of our field (science educ.; environmental educ.; adventure
educ.; interpretation; outdoor educ.; experiential educ.)
From this knowledge, you will be expected to be able to demonstrate
your learning by applying the course information to a problem that
is of particular interest to you. Finally, you will learn what aspects
of the literature contributes to the profession. This will result
in a discussion on specific issues concerning outdoor education.
Outcomes of this Course:
From this course, you will be able to:
A. Identify and describe at least four salient studies in science
education and outdoor education.
B. Evaluate a variety of research works with respect to quality
and contribution.
C. Critique research designs used in at least four different research
problems.
D. Develop at least one research design using a selected problem.
E. Discuss current issues and their effects on outdoor education.
F. Demonstrate how to find and access research literature.
Course Requirements:
1) Complete reading assignments
2) Take part in class discussions
3) Two assignments will be made. They are:
a. Select two research articles and critique the article based upon
its research methods, conclusion, and significance.
b. Give a 10 minute presentation on your thesis topic. Discuss the
strengths of your primary sources based upon their methodology and
analysis. This will be followed by an explaination of the design
of your thesis topic.
Grading:
| Assignment |
Points |
Grade Scale |
| 2 Critiques of articles |
50 ea. = 100 |
|
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| Participation: |
50 |
90% |
A |
| Synopsis Paper: |
50 |
80% |
B |
| |
100 |
70% |
C |
Text Materials:
- Readings: Readings are provided through this web site. You will also asked to obtain readings from the readings list as a means to learn how to find articles.
- Campbell, D. & Stanley, J. (1963). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs
for research. Houghton Mifflin.
(Note: I want you to be familiar with the research
designs in this small booklet. I have a copys placed in the CEED office.)
Course Content:
1) Introduction
A. Importance of the relationship between research and practice.
2) Research Methods
a. Research Designs
b. Primary methods used in O.E. & Science Education
c. How to critique a research article
d. The design of appropriate research methods.
3) Research in Environmental Education
4) Research in Science Education pertinent to Environmental Education/Environmental Literacy.
5) Research in Adventure Education
6) Issues in Outdoor Education
Schedule:
I. Introduction of the Course:
A. Goals:
1. Follow through with Theories & Models in Outdoor Education..
To take the project/thesis one step further.
2. To learn what literature base exists in outdoor education.
3. To learn fundamentals of research design and methods. What is
the research process?
4. To learn how to critique an article.
This is essential in determining the quality of the information
that you are reading.
5. To gain an awareness and understanding of some landmark studies.
B. How the course will work:
1. Format - casual with expectation of interaction. This is assuming
that you are current on the information being presented.
2. Realize that we are only hitting the high ground.
3. The readings...
C. General class plan:
1. The need for research.
**The research process.
2. The types of research.
a. Qualitative - Kaplans' study on wilderness.
- Meyer & Munson- Phenomenological studies
- Personal interviews
- Case studies
b. Quantitative - Survey Research
- Pre-experimental design
- Quasi-experimental design
-Experimental design
Getting to know Stanley & Campbell (1966)
3. How to determine the design to use
4. How the design drives the methods.
5. How the design drives the analysis.
You will choose a research study of your choice from a current journal.
6. Go over the research & critique some
major works.
7. Present 2 critiques of an article. Present it.
8. Present your paper indicating Design, Methods, and Evaluation/Analysis. |
