In this study I discuss the state of Free-Choice Learning research, and an investigation into the use of personal ubiquitous technology on visitors' experiences at a science center. The three manuscripts included in this document:
1. Review published research on free-choice learning from 1997-2007 from selected journals
2. Examine visitors'...
In the past most research of family learning in informal science learning environments has included limited diversity among participants considering ethnic, cultural, and social economic status. The diversity seen in informal learning environments such as museums does not typically reflect that of the general population. Therefore, in order to foster...
Ocean observing groups are currently making efforts to work with well-defined end-user groups, like boaters and fishermen, to provide meaningful and effective real-time data (RTD) products and visualizations. However, providing meaningful data products for undefined groups such as the general public is not straightforward. In Oregon, several industry, science, and...
The Pacific Northwest has become one of the nation’s premier sweet cherry,
Prunus avium, production areas. As production of sweet cherries has flourished in
Oregon and Washington, so has powdery mildew, caused by the fungus
Podosphaera clandestina, which infects both foliage and fruit causing severe
economic damage to growers. Sweet...
The purpose of this ethnographic study was to explore White, female teachers’ attitudes and perspectives towards their African American students, the Black/White Achievement Gap, and their teaching practice in regards to their students’ achievement, through the use of focus group discussions. The target group for this study was White, female...
Field trips are well recognized by researchers as an educational approach with the potential to complement and enhance classroom science teaching by exposing students to unique activities, resources, and content in informal settings. The following investigation addresses teachers' field trip practices in three related manuscripts:
(1) A study examining the...
Racial integration of the Louisiana public school system had a devastating
effect on its number of Black teachers. The state has yet to recover from this
reduction, as fewer Black college students pursue education degrees. This study
reports on whether or not the lack of Black educators has influenced high...
Studies of the effects of climate change on forests have focused on the ability of species to tolerate temperature and moisture changes and to disperse, but they have ignored the effects of disturbances caused by climate change (e.g., Ojima et al. 1991). Yet modeling studies indicate the importance of climate...
Studies of the effects of climate change on forests have focused on the ability of species to tolerate temperature
and moisture changes and to disperse, but they have ignored the effects of disturbances caused by climate change
(e.g., Ojima et al. 1991).Yet modeling studies indicate the importance of climate effects...