Implementing K-12 hypermediated earth system science activities based on World-Wide-Web resources

Gigabytes of earth-science digital images and database information sources are readily accessible by K-12 teachers through the Internet and the World Wide Web. These resources are only limited by the modifications necessary for immediate classroom use. Advances in user-friendly hypermedia software, increased accessibility to computers, and the WWW as an instructional tool for earth system science education provide a mechanism for implementing user-friendly classroom lessons, laboratories, and units based on easily downloadable data, current images, supercomputer models, seismic networks, and radiosondes. Three models proposed for materials development that are grounded in constructivist instructional theories are the Learning-Cycle Model, Investigation/Experimentation Model, and a Role-Playing Model. Educational research is still needed in the areas of efficacy of these models for hypermediated instruction. Hypermediated assessment strategies are available but are currently undergoing rigorous development and validation. Hypermediated activities can be constructed which allow learners to conduct authentic scientific inquiry using the same data sets as professional scientists use.