(Response code to quantifiable questions: Change? Create? Use?)
Response 1
Y Y Y
*Did the workshop change how you used the Web in your teaching? If so, how?
Yes, I have developed some www material primarily for problem setassignments and for posting example exams and solutions.
What are the URLs that you found particularly useful?
As yet, I have not directly linked to any urls for any courses.
*Over the past year did you:
--Create any Web-based materials for classroom use? If so, can you send me some
URLs? May I share these with others in the Unidata community?
One of the locations of course material is: http://www.louisville.edu/~mnfren01/courses/hydraulics/ You can share this location with others -- with the condition that you indicate this site is under development/improvement and its current form is not intended as complete or a comprehensive internet based course. Currently I am using the web to allow students to access information -- next year I hope to develop more interactive methods for courses using the web.
--Use any of the teaching techniques discussed during the Presentations? Lab sessions?
Yes, I am using some collaborative learning methods and attempting to recognize and account for the various learning types or styles.
*The last Users workshop focused on creating Web based class materials AND on using satellite data. What would you like the next workshop to focus on?
Designing brief course projects or a specific assignment for a course.Assignments that have quantitative tasks - rather than primarily qualitative or descriptive questions concerning a set of weather images. There needs to be a way to show the students the difference between seeing an image series loop from satellite, and extracting quantitative data from the image. For example, in engineering applications one may need to compute the mass flowrate of water vapor into a region - and this can be done if a portion or region of the satellite image can be extracted and then transformed into vapor densities. I have not found that the data on the web is at a stage where this kind of analysis can be done, but it will be useful when that level is reached.
-------------------------
Response 2
Y Y Y
*Did the workshop change how you used the Web in your teaching? If so, how? What are the URLs that you found particularly useful?
As you know, I was less than enthused about the focus of the workshop on instruction (since I don't teach). However, as a result of staffing shortages here last year (retirement, and sabbaticals) I was asked to teach a cross-listed upper-level undergraduate/ graduate course of my choice last winter. I was much more confidant in making the decision to teach an introduction to Remote Sensing of the Environment having just attended summer workshop (even given the brief duration of my attendance.
*Over the past year did you: --Create any Web-based materials for classroom use?
Yes, I did the *entire* course on-line. Including both real-time weather discussions, making use of tutorials, using a few interactive labs and on-line tests, and linking to a wide range of sites from Government to University. I made all my lectures with embedded links available on line. We used an electronic classroom (not in our Department, but operated by the University Technology Center) with a really sucky overhead projector, but each student was sitting in front of their own PC workstation, running netscape and a few other software packages (e.g., html editors, math packages like matlab and maple). They didn't have access to any Unidata software (like McIDAS), but a couple students used McIDAS (with the help of my graduate students) in their final presentations. This classroom arrangement worked *very* well, and remarkably we never had a day when the network went down, or the sites we wanted to visit were unaccessible.
If so, can you send me some URLs?
Sure. Checkout http://aerial.evsc.virginia.edu/~jlm8h/class/evsc494.html (this may be unavailable for a day or so, since I am getting ready to change offices).
May I share these with others in the Unidata community?
Sure. I am totally open about this (and hoping that if anybody finds egregious errors or problems they will let me know). By the way, I would note that this is not a very "polished" course, since I was only one step ahead of the class. I didn't even know I was going to teach this until last November, December was consumed by my research responsibilities and classes started the first week of January. So I guess it looks like a first time effort- I look forward to improving it this coming winter, since I was asked to offer the class again.
--Use any of the teaching techniques discussed during the Presentations?
I did review a few of the lectures about defining learning objectives, and thought about ways of measuring their knowledge. But this was sort of in the back of my mind, I was pretty preoccupied just trying to pull together material and develop reasonably sequential lectures. I did try to get a lot of feedback from the students as we went along, and encouraged them to send me email. This was effective in that I ended up finding I needed to review certain subjects (that theoretically they had covered in the pre-requisite) before I could continue on.
Lab sessions?
The lab session on using html editors were probably what I got the most out of....I had been one of those masochistic "I write html with a unix text editor and an open web-browser" types. Realizing how simple it was to assemble material with a wysiwig editor was very valuable.
*The last Users workshop focused on creating Web based class materials AND on using satellite data. What would you like the next workshop to focus on?
I would like to think about this more. I was a strong advocate the last time around for a workshop that addressed the research applications of satellite data using Unidata Supported System (ie., McIDAS, GEMPAK). But I believe there might be other topics we should consider that might fit in with the focus of developing new interactive applications. I guess we will have some opportunity to revisit this.
-------------------------
Response 3
Y Y Y
*Did the workshop change how you used the Web in your teaching? If so, how?
Yes. Right away I put the skills I acquired at the workshop to work. One month after the UNIDATA 1997 Summer Workshop I taught a workshop for K-12 teachers on "Teaching Atmospheric Science". I was both excited and scared to include the Web materials to enhance the content and to teach the teachers how to make their own Web pages. But on the second day of the week-long workshop my feelings were just of excitment seeing the teachers learning so fast and re-doing the meteorology units of their science classes on the Web. On my regular Introduction to Meteorology class I used many Web sites for the lab exercises.
What are the URLs that you found particularly useful?
UNIDATA 1997 Summer Workshop (how to write Web pages for teaching) SSEC, U of Wisconsin Weather underground, U of Michigan The Daily Planet, U of Illinois WXP, Purdue University Sorry I don't have these URL's here with me. But I know you recognize all of them.
*Over the past year did you:--Create any Web-based materials for classroom use?
Yes.
If so, can you send me some URLs?
http://vms.cc.wmich.edu/~cutrim
May I share these with others in the Unidata community?
Yes and I welcome comments for improvement.
--Use any of the teaching techniques discussed during the Presentations? Lab sessions?
Yes. (Detail was given above)
*The last Users workshop focused on creating Web based class materials AND on using satellite data. What would you like the next workshop to focus on?
As far as pedagogy and new technologies: 1. More in-depth instruction on design and building Web sites 2. Grading, quiz and test options using the Web. As far as content focus: 1. Human dimensions on Global Change. 2. Tying GOES satellite data derived products with Landsat data products using GIS (e.g. look at the effect of land cover and land use change on clouds).
-------------------------
Response 4
N N Y
My reply to your questions about the workshop may present some problems for you if you are attempting to compile the responses by topic, and for that I apologize beforehand. However, my circumstances differed from many who were in attendance, and my primary objective during that summer was to get a good start with the installation and use of McIDAS, since my college was then just starting the process of installing it in support of the educational program.My teaching responsibilities involve five different courses during the year: Astronomy; Geology: Revolutions in Science (team taught); Science Methods for Elementary Education; and Meteorology. The Meteorology course is about 20 percent of my teaching duties throughout the year. With the exception of the team-taught course, I am the only person on campus who teaches each one of these courses, so I do not have a group of colleagues in any of these fields with whom I can consult and refresh. Thus, the workshop was a wonderful and rewarding opportunity for me to become more current, to learn new skills, and to make connections with people of similar interests.
At the workshop, I enjoyed using the web and learning how to compose educational materials for it, but I have not directed my efforts between then and now to create my own web-based materials. This year, for the first time, I will be conducting some of the meteorology laboratories within a microcomputer-equipped room that contains a computer for each student, so I may make more use of web in my teaching this year than I have to this point. I would be interested in URL's that may have been generated by others from the workshop between then and now. The pedagogy that was covered within the workshop was previously familiar to me, and I like to think that I have been and will continue to use these principles and techniques within my own teaching of meteorology and other courses. In response to your request for recommendations about future workshops, I would like to suggest that the Unidata Users Committee consider offering some programs that would be oriented toward those faculty who teach at small liberal arts colleges and/or at small community colleges where the teaching responsibilities involve many fields and where faculty may be somewhat isolated from the larger community of experts. Under such circumstances, it is always a struggle to keep abreast of new or better materials to support an ongoing educational program. In 1988 I attended a Chautauqua workshop on meteorology run by Tim Spangler and was introduced to Unidata and McIDAS, and was directed to some print materials that I could use for my Meteorology course. I cannot recall a Chautauqua course being offered during recent years on a meteorological topic. Perhaps such courses have been offered and I am forgetful or I didn't notice them in the Chautauqua brochure. I would like to see UCAR hold some sort of workshop for faculty from small institutions where we can attend to see the best of computer simulations that can be obtained, explore the potentialities and practicalities of using McIDAS or other similar programs, receive suggestions about recommended URL's, learn about case studies that may be available or are in the development stage, and get the latest information about recent advances in the field of meteorology. Distribution through a Chautauqua listing insures that faculty who may be somewhat isolated from the UCAR community will be notified.
Perhaps my suggestion above may seem to imply that I was in some way disappointed with the workshop, but that would not be true at all. It was a wonderful personal experience and a great opportunity for continued professional growth. I was and continue to be thoroughly pleased with the workshop. I developed new skills, learned new techniques, and expanded my professional associations. I feel that the workshop has benefited me directly and my students indirectly. I thank you and your colleagues for providing such a great experience.
-------------------------
Response 5
N N N
As you probably know, I have retired from teaching in the classroom. Concerning your question regarding recommendations, I would suggest that in a future workshop have participants formally present their Web-based educational creations, and then allow ample time for discussion and critiques. You might wish to explore how some individuals would create Web-based materials through collaboration from different universities. Also invite some individuals to address the question of what is the proper balance between lecture and Web-based educational resources and other resource materials and thus stimulate discussion and interest. As you are aware, there is a great deal of emphasis on student discovery, assessment and evaluation by the educational community. I note as well as other scientists that it will be "thousands of years" if we were to depend on discovery alone by students to get where we are today. Lectures involving instructor student interaction still have a place. Web-based resources must also allow for a student's intellectual interaction with data and problem solving. Cookbook exercises alone generally fail to generate student interest. There must be complementary developments.
-------------------------
Response 6
Y Y n/a
In response to your questions:
1. I use more Internet resources in class and have crated Internet Activities in classes.
2. I present Internet products in classes, but not in a computer lab.
3. Not Yet. I am working on creating a web-based exercise(s).
4. Next workshop: Creating classroom activities based on web resources. Teaching Earth Science (lab) using the Internet.
-------------------------
Response 7
Y Y N
Some answers to your questionnaire.....
Did the workshop change how I used the Web in teaching?
Somewhat...I have more plans that actual work done! But I have started using it to show satellite images for the students to discuss in synoptic lab. I want to use the web NOT just to store my notes...but to use animation or color images that I can't easily put into my notes. I have used it more in my COMET web page (see http://www.eas.slu.edu/Comet) and my pun page but that is another matter altogether.
The URLs that I found useful include links to NESDIS, Colo. State CIRES URL (Jim Purdom), SPC, some NSSL web sites, etc. I am also goint to have them used the COMET/NWSTC web site for learning about MCS... I think it is meted.ucar.edu or something like that.
Did I create any web-based mterials for the classroom...
mostly just the site I gave you to display our COMET research on QPF. I am starting to add the other sites that show satellite imagery, radar images, etc. for training.
Did I use any the teaching techniques discussed during the presentations? or lab sessions?
Not the pedagogical stuff...I found that rather abstract and weak... but the methods for using the web were great..esp. the Iowa State use of the web in the environmental pollution course.
I want to look at the materials gathered during the last workshop to re-investigate the stuff people came up with.
-------------------------
Response 8
Y Y Y
*Did the workshop change how you used the Web in your teaching? If so, how? What are the URLs that you found particularly useful?
Yes. I found frames the most useful.
*Over the past year did you:
--Create any Web-based materials for classroom use? If so, can you send me some
URLs? May I share these with others in the Unidata community?
No. But I applied the techniques I learnt from the workshop to create a Web site for our University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (http://ouucgis.ou.edu/). My TA and I are planning to develop web-based materials for a GIS class next semester.
--Use any of the teaching techniques discussed during the Presentations? Lab sessions?
Lab sessions.
*The last Users workshop focused on creating Web based class materials AND on using satellite data. What would you like the next workshop to focus on?
Applications of NEXRAD data and integration of data from different sources using advanced software packages.
-------------------------
Response 9
Y Y n/a
It's been a year since the last Unidata workshop, and the Unidata Users Committee is interested in learning whether you were able to put to use any of the skills or perspectives presented at the workshop.
"I'M WORKING ON A WEB-SITE FORM MY COURSES THIS SEMESTER"
*Did the workshop change how you used the Web in your teaching? If so, how?
"I use the web more"
What are the URLs that you found particularly useful?
"Wisconsin and Purdue meteor, DMSP archives, URI NOAA-AVHRR archives..."
*Over the past year did you:--Create any Web-based materials for classroom use?
"I'm working on them"
If so, can you send me some URLs? May I share these with others in the
Unidata community?
--Use any of the teaching techniques discussed during the Presentations? Lab
sessions?
"Nothing specific"
*The last Users workshop focused on creating Web based class materials AND on using satellite data. What would you like the next workshop to focus on?
" Earth sciences: Geology, Geophysics, Oceanography"
-------------------------
Response 10
Y Y Y
*Did the workshop change how you used the Web in your teaching? If so, how? What are the URLs that you found particularly useful?
The workshop inspired me to develop (gradually, as time permits) a web site for each course that I teach. Such a web site allows me to communicate information that I would normally lecture on. Under the new model, students study the material on the web site before coming to class. The class session then can be devoted to discussions, doing hands-on exercises, etc. This represents a shift from a passive to an active learning environment for the student. This was a central theme of the workshop, and it is a philosophy that I now own for myself and believe in. Below, I describe the web site that I am currently developing for my tropical meteorology course....
*Over the past year did you: --Create any Web-based materials for classroom use? If so, can you send me some URLs? May I share these with others in the Unidata community?
I am now in the midst of a major project which is the placing of the content of my tropical meteorology course. . . onto a web site. I am employing two students and have just submitted a proposal to COMET for funding to help support these students. I expect to use the web site extensively in the teaching of a Fall 1998 topics course, "Tropical Weather Prediction." The web site will be completed in the summer of 1999, at which time I will make it "public." It is being developed as a series of subject modules, in-house at this time.
--Use any of the teaching techniques discussed during the Presentations? Lab sessions?
Working with one student I am developing one of the COMET case studies for use in my synoptic meteorology course this fall. We are using CODIAC to access the data and incorporating the GARP graphics system for display. I am giving an invited talk at the 8th Symposium on Education at the AMS Annual Meeting in Dallas in January entitled, "Use of UNIDATA distributed software in the teaching of synoptic meteorology at Millersville University." The talk will focus on the use of GARP with the COMET case study to illustrate how complicated concepts from dynamics classes can be "brought to life" in the synoptic classroom.
As a result of the workshop (and my sabbatical) I am more devoted to making use of COMET modules in my classes. We have just purchased two PC's to give us added capability in this area for the fall semester.
I have a growing belief in the importance of the active learning environment. In the tropical meteorology course that I taught in Fall 1997 I developed hands-on exercises using the COMET PC-ERIN module. This was a hit with the students! In synoptic meteorology class that semester, I developed hands-on exercises in the use of the UNIDATA software packages. Again, student feedback was very positive.
Inspired by the workshop I am questioning my assumptions about using the lecture format. I believe professors use this approach because it gives them a sense of control and a sense of "coherence within their heads" that tells them the course is going well. But from "within the students' heads" is the course, in fact, going well? Maybe not. Studies show students retain only 20% of what they are taught by traditional lecture methods. Since my goal is for my students to learn, I must be willing to change my methods. Besides, teaching is more fun in an active learning environment. Do I sound like a convert?!
* The last Users workshop focused on creating Web based class materials AND on using satellite data. What would you like the next workshop to focus on?
"Case studies" of people who are on the firing line trying out the new technologies. By "case studies" I don't mean meteorological case studies but the experiences of the people. Participants would be exposed to the infinite variety of what is going on. They would be given references, examples, software packages, the experiences of joy and frustration in using technology, etc. They would see the DETAILS of what each person is doing, and believe me, in this work truly the "devils are in the details."
-------------------------
Response 11
Y Y N
*Did the workshop change how you used the Web in your teaching? If so, how?
I became more aware of how easy it is to create at least simple web pages. I now use the web to disseminate instructions and data sets to students in the courses I teach; I have also created a web page with a conglomeration of hot links to other web sites relevant to my graduate remote sensing course. Unfortunately, manpower limitations have prevented me from exploiting the full potential of the web as an instructional tool. Also, there simply aren't any existing URLs "out there" that already cover the stuff that I want to get out to the students, so it would be up to me to develop these more or less from scratch. I got lots of ideas from the summer workshop, but I simply haven't had the time to put in the necessary development effort. However, knowing what's possible is often half the battle.
What are the URLs that you found particularly useful?
I can't say that I have identified any yet, for the reasons indicated above.
*Over the past year did you: --Create any Web-based materials for classroom use? If so, can you send me some URLs?
http://meso.eas.purdue.edu/~gpetty/atms545.html ; but see disclaimer below http://meso.eas.purdue.edu/atms630.html ; this is just a partially organized collection of hot links which I threw together just to get students pointed to some relevant URLs.
May I share these with others in the Unidata community?
They are so crude and narrow in scope that I don't think they would be of interest to anyone outside of my courses. They are really more along the lines of logistical supplements than standalone instructional modules. For example, I used one web site to post schedule information and created hot links to some numerical data sets so students could pull them down onto their own computers; also I provided late-breaking instructions and clarifications on how to complete the lab exercises.
--Use any of the teaching techniques discussed during the Presentations? Lab sessions?
No, for lack of time, as indicated earlier. It is hard enough to do justice to my "regular" research, teaching, and administrative obligations even without undertaking the development of a whole new set of web-based course materials. But I recognize the value of the techniques described and hope to gradually work them into my courses as time permits.
*The last Users workshop focused on creating Web based class materials AND on using satellite data. What would you like the next workshop to focus on?
I have nothing particular to suggest. I should point out perhaps that the last workshop turned out quite different than I had expected before attending, in that I had thought, based on the course description, that there would be an emphasis on satellite data per se (from an instructional standpoint) -- i.e., characteristics, applications, and resources relevant to various "major" satellite sensors and data types, used in meteorology, and how up-to-date information on these rapidly changing technologies could be efficiently collected, summarized and incorporated into, say, undergraduate courses for meteorology majors. Rather, the emphasis was really on the web itself as a teaching tool, and the satellite content was almost more of a convenient backdrop for an exposition on web-based pedagical techniques. Furthermore, I don't think most participants came to the workshop aware that they would be expected to *provide* most of the satellite-related content; at least I wasn't, and I found it somewhat frustrating to have to "shake something out of my shirtsleeve"with no real advance preparation, especially since my own area of expertise, and the emphasis in my own teaching, encompasses topics for which existing web-based resources are extremely scarce or otherwise inadequate. So in short, I guess I think that a course that actually accomplished what I had incorrectly expected of the previous course would still be valuable. I hope you find these comments helpful.
-------------------------
Response 12
N Y N
*Did the workshop change how you used the Web in your teaching?
Not as yet.
If so, how?
This summer, a colleague and I will attempt to place some web activities in our introductory meteororlogy course.
What are the URLs that you found particularly useful?
Too soon to tell.
*Over the past year did you: --Create any Web-based materials for classroom use?
We have developed a web page describing how our course is conducted (Labs, rules, curriculum, etc.).
If so, can you send me some URLs?
http://www2.wku.edu/www/geoweb/metcrse/geog121.htm
May I share these with others in the Unidata community?
If you wish
--Use any of the teaching techniques discussed during the Presentations? Lab sessions?
No. Not yet.
*The last Users workshop focused on creating Web based class materials AND on using satellite data. What would you like the next workshop to focus on?
Something Meteorological!!!! I am not (by training) a forecaster, but I would love to learn some forecasting techniques, using whatever imagery or charts neccessary to do so.
-------------------------
Response 13
Y Y Y
*Did the workshop change how you used the Web in your teaching? If so, how?
You bet it did. I was highly motivated to use my improved knowledge of HTML, web design principles, and knowledge of COMET data archives to improve upon my "Coupled Jet-Front Circulation Systems" at http://www2.ncsu.edu/classes/mea444-sekoch/. With the aid provided by an instructional technologist at the North Carolina State University library, we were able to incorporate simple conceptual model graphics produced on MacDraw Pro and CorelDraw and Photoshop (for touchups), MathType equations as gif images, Java-based satellite animations, and Java quizzing features into my web page.
What are the URLs that you found particularly useful?
Most of the case study graphics came from our realtime LDM and MASS mesoscale model web page. However, Julie Adolphson helped me tremendously with the McIdas images for the one case study. I created most of the schematic models myself.
*Over the past year did you: --Create any Web-based materials for classroom use? If so, can you send me some URLs? May I share these with others in the Unidata community?
In addition to the URL I gave you above, I am working with two students and NWS folks in the preparation of 3 more web-based tutorials (please share them with others, though they are not yet finished, they should be in good shape by August 11): (1) Structure and Detection of Cold Fronts Aloft http://www4.ncsu.edu/~jlmoore3/CFA_Tutorial.htm (2) Identifying Mesocyclones using the WSR-88D Radar http://www4.ncsu.edu/eos/users/c/cvander/pub/mesotalk_nws.html (3) Prediction and Analysis of Gravity Waves http://www.nws.noaa.gov/er/akq/GWave2/htm
--Use any of the teaching techniques discussed during the Presentations? Lab sessions?
I certainly used the information presented, particularly the technical stuff.
-------------------------
Response 14
Y Y Y
*Did the workshop change how you used the Web in your teaching? If so, how? What are the URLs that you found particularly useful?
The presentation of John Cristy gave me some ideas about the use of realtime data .
*Over the past year did you: --Create any Web-based materials for classroom use? If so, can you send me some URLs? May I share these with others in the Unidata community?
All developments are incremental extensions of previous materials
--Use any of the teaching techniques discussed during the Presentations? Lab sessions?
See first question.
*The last Users workshop focused on creating Web based class materials AND on using satellite data. What would you like the next workshop to focus on?
Student-course interface is a particularly important but difficult element of distance education. I think a sharing of ideas on this topic would be a good component of a future workshop.
-------------------------
Response 15
n/a n/a n/a
With respect to future topics, that is hard one. One that does come to mind is techniques and pedegogy for reaching the non-meteorology (usually non-science) major via large enrollment classes. Most academic programs have requirements to teach large service or general education courses. These are quite different from major's courses. We have resources around which to build such a workshop -- Gene Tackle at Iowa State has done some very interesting things, Don Johnson at Wisconsin has several programs doing interesting things through his ESSE program, GSA in Boulder has done something like this for the solid earth folks, etc... Ira Geer has also addressed the 2-year and 4-year colleges where there is no meteor. department but one or more general education courses in wx are offered. And I bet Mary Marlino could help here as well. Well, hopefully that is an idea for you.
-------------------------
Response 16
N N N
Did the workshop change how you used the Web in your teaching? If so, how? What are the URLs that you found particularly useful?
Unfortunately, other concerns prevented me from using the Web as much as I would have liked. I hope to use it more in the future. I do think some of the Web pages I saw would be useful to me.
*Over the past year did you: --Create any Web-based materials for classroom use? If so, can you send me some URLs? May I share these with others in the Unidata community?
No.
--Use any of the teaching techniques discussed during the Presentations? Lab sessions?
Again, I would have liked to have done so. I topic I worked on was at the end of the semester in my class. We were short on time at that point and I did not get to work it in. I hope I can use them in the future.
*The last Users workshop focused on creating Web based class materials AND on using satellite data. What would you like the next workshop to focus on?
I think it is unrealistic to expect professors to start something at a workshop and finish it when they get home. There are too many demands from too many interests in their offices. At the workshop we are relatively separated from those interests. More time at the workshop needs to be devoted to the actual preparation of materials that people can use so that they have something ready to use when they return.
-------------------------
Response 17
N Y Y
*Did the workshop change how you used the Web in your teaching?
Not really I'm afraid. I have not had the time to impliment most of what I learned (and haven't had the energy to find somebody to do the work under my supervision)
If so, how? What are the URLs that you found particularly useful? *Over the past year did you: --Create any Web-based materials for classroom use? If so, can you send me some URLs?
yes http://www.atmos.albany.edu/das/classes/atm450/index.html
May I share these with others in the Unidata community?
It's not really ready for prime time yet.
--Use any of the teaching techniques discussed during the Presentations? Lab sessions?
I have been trying. Unfortunately some of the methods are not really aplicable to the classes I teach (computer methods, and graduate dynamics). However I was glad to be exposed to it, and some of it has I think impacted (and hopefully improved) the way I teach. I think this is somewhat of an evolutionary process. I was exposed to teaching for many years - I try to emulate the teachers that worked best for me when I was a student. Each time I get exposed to new better methods I revise the way I teach - I need to be exposed more to some of the alternative methods.
*The last Users workshop focused on creating Web based class materials AND on using satellite data. What would you like the next workshop to focus on?
I think the duel focus was a little too much. For the first half of the workshop I don't think the participants really understood what they were there for - I think the duel focus tended to confuse some of the participants. On the other hand, I don't think that Unidata workshops should replicate scientific meetings. Maybe "The use of Unidata software and WSR-88D radar data in University classrooms" would be a good subject. Or perhaps "Using Unidata software for the generation of web based course material"
-------------------------
Response 18
Y Y Y
*Did the workshop change how you used the Web in your teaching? If so, how?
I have convinced my department to put at least one of our geography courses on the web this academic year. It will be a joint effort between 3 professors.
What are the URLs that you found particularly useful?
I can't remember off-hand, but I am sure I looked at every url suggestion, and used a little from each.
*Over the past year did you: --Create any Web-based materials for classroom use? If so, can you send me some URLs?
I now have my own weather page for students where they can access local weather, forecasts, satellite images, etc. The url is http://geog.ucfv.bc.ca/okabe/weather.html
May I share these with others in the Unidata community?
If you wish but the weather is local to southern British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest.
--Use any of the teaching techniques discussed during the Presentations? Lab sessions?
This year I am thinking about adding an html lab in one of my classes so students are exposed to the www and its simplicity.
*The last Users workshop focused on creating Web based class materials AND on using satellite data. What would you like the next workshop to focus on?
I don't have any suggestions right now, but every workshop unidata puts together is very well done, and therefore, I try to attend as many as possible.
-------------------------
Response 19
Y Y Y
*Did the workshop change how you used the Web in your teaching? If so, how? What are the URLs that you found particularly useful?
I have used the URL that taught how to use HTML. I have also used Doug Yarger's mountain simulation in several teaching sessions.
*Over the past year did you: --Create any Web-based materials for classroom use? If so, can you send me some URLs? May I share these with others in the Unidata community?
Yes, Remote Sensing lab. http://www.comet.ucar.edu/nsflab
Yes, it can be shared with the Unidata community.
--Use any of the teaching techniques discussed during the Presentations? Lab sessions? *The last Users workshop focused on creating Web based class materials AND on using satellite data. What would you like the next workshop to focus on?
Using sounder data or mesoscale models.
-------------------------
Response 20
Y Y Y
*Did the workshop change how you used the Web in your teaching? If so, how?
Yes, I'm in the process of creating a web-based undergraduate remote sensing course. I probably would not have created the web site without the knowledge gained during the workshop. I'm also starting construction of a web-based intro to met. course for non-science majors.
What are the URLs that you found particularly useful?
The WWW2010 web site at the University of Illinois has been helpful. Texas A&M also has some nice materials online. I also referred back to the Unidata site, it also had lots of reference materials that were quite useful. Wadsworth also has some nice multi-media material that I plan to use in the intro to met course.
*Over the past year did you: --Create any Web-based materials for classroom use?
As stated above, I've started creating a remote sensing web-based course. I hope to finish the site and use it for the upcoming spring semester.
If so, can you send me some URLs? May I share these with others in the Unidata community?
I'd be more comfortable sending you the URL next spring when the site is more complete and properly documented...:) Also, by then the intro to meteorology site should be close to completion as well.
--Use any of the teaching techniques discussed during the Presentations? Lab sessions?
The lab sessions which focussed on web page development and design were quite helpful.
*The last Users workshop focused on creating Web based class materials AND on using satellite data. What would you like the next workshop to focus on?
I need to think about this.....
-------------------------
Response 21
Y Y Y
*Did the workshop change how you used the Web in your teaching?
YES.
If so, how?
IT HELPED DEMONSTRATE EFFECTIVE USE OF WEB-BASED LEARNING MATERIALS.
What are the URLs that you found particularly useful?
THAT'S A TOUGH ONE. OF THE URLs I USE I DON'T REMEMBER WHICH I FIRST BECAME AWARE OF AT THE WORKSHOP.
*Over the past year did you: --Create any Web-based materials for classroom use?
YES. I COMPLETED A WEB-BASED FORECASTING CONTEST AND PLACED SOME LAB ASSIGNMENTS ON WEB PAGES.
If so, can you send me some URLs?
MANY OF THEM ARE CURRENTLY UNDERGOING "RENOVATION" FOR THIS COMING FALL SEMESTER.
May I share these with others in the Unidata community? --Use any of the teaching techniques discussed during the Presentations? Lab sessions?
YES TO BOTH. THE WORKSHOP WAS VERY EFFECTIVE IN HELPING ME ASSIMILATE INOVATIVE TEACHING STRATEGIES.
*The last Users workshop focused on creating Web based class materials AND on using satellite data. What would you like the next workshop to focus on?
MY PREFERENCES WOULD BE RADAR DATA AND ATMOSPHERIC MODELLING.
-------------------------
Response 22
Y Y n/a
I'm not sure how to answer these questions as an instructor. Let me say that partly as a result of the workshop in 1997 we added several features to our web site and links to other pages where explanations of the datasets and techniques were explained. This helped quite a bit in the presentation I made this past June for COMET/UCAR in a similar type workshop. As I emphasized in both workshops, I think some type of session on "What is Truth?" would be beneficial. Since so much is on the web, every advocacy group has "spun" various data sources for their own point of view - particularly in the climate change arena. It may be interesting for faculty to be given a project along these lines of determining what can be trusted, what is uncertain, and what is false which they then could develop for their students. Students today need the best skills possible to assimilate, digest and evaluate the massive amount of "information" available electronically. Hope this helps.
-------------------------
The remaining three (3) direct responses contained no pertinent data. E-mail to two (2) participants bounced.
END-------------------------END